In a bid to bolster Nigeria’s democracy, the National Assembly is set to propose legislation mandating that future Presidents-Elect be sworn in at the arcade of the National Assembly.
Currently, Eagles Square in Abuja’s Central Business District serves as the venue for presidential inaugurations.
Additionally, the National Assembly plans to pass a bill requiring the sitting President to deliver the annual State of the Nation address in the National Assembly chamber every June 12.
Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, revealed this while speaking on the significance of June 12, according to a statement from his media office in Abuja.
The National Assembly had invited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives on Thursday to commemorate the 2025 National Democracy Day at the National Assembly Complex.
June 12 is observed as Democracy Day in Nigeria to honor the late Chief MKO Abiola, winner of the 1993 presidential election, widely regarded as the freest and fairest in Nigeria’s history.
Responding on Tuesday, Bamidele said, “We intend to institutionalise the State of the Nation address by bringing a bill to formalize it. Nigerians should anticipate this development.”
He added, “President Tinubu is collaborating with the National Assembly on this. We are preparing legislation to ensure the President’s address on June 12 becomes an annual tradition through the National Assembly. Given the historical importance of June 12, it is the ideal occasion for the President to address the nation.”
Bamidele further expressed hope that the swearing-in ceremony of the next President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces will, by God’s grace, take place at the National Assembly arcade.
The Senate leader also mentioned that the Senate is considering extending the implementation period of the 2024 budget, especially the capital expenditure segment.
“We will review the full execution of the 2024 budget and likely extend the capital expenditure timeline while ensuring the 2025 budget is fully implemented,” he said.
On constitutional reform, Bamidele, who is also Vice Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, acknowledged slow progress but assured Nigerians that the process is ongoing.
He stated that the committee is finalizing its work and plans to conduct zonal public hearings soon, culminating in a joint public hearing coordinated by both chambers of the National Assembly.
“We have completed nearly 70 percent of the work before going public. We aim to finalize the constitutional amendment process before the end of this legislative year,” he concluded.
