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President Tinubu has scrapped the traditional June 12 military parade for Democracy Day 2025, shifting focus to a national address and a symbolic visit to the National Assembly.
  • FG cancels the customary Democracy Day parade at the Presidential Villa
  • Tinubu to deliver a national broadcast by 7 a.m. on Thursday
  • The President will also attend a special joint session of the National Assembly at noon
  • Theme for the day: “Consolidating on the Gains of Nigeria’s Democracy”
  • Public lecture scheduled for 4 p.m. at the State House Conference Centre
This move appears to be less about logistics and more about tone. By shelving the usual pomp of the parade, Tinubu’s administration may be signalling a desire for introspection amid rising national tension. The shift to more sober, dialogue-focused events, like a joint legislative session and a policy lecture, suggests an attempt to project seriousness and reform-mindedness. Democracy Day, originally a celebration of Nigeria’s hard-won civil rule, is now doubling as a platform to talk tough reforms, and maybe, win back some public trust.

As the country marks another year of democracy, will this pared-back celebration create space for real reform, or just more political theatre?