President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has cancelled the previously scheduled nationwide broadcast to mark Nigeria’s 26th Democracy Day anniversary.

The announcement was made on Wednesday in a statement by Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. According to him, the cancellation is due to the president’s scheduled attendance at a joint session of the National Assembly on Thursday, June 12.

“Due to President Bola Tinubu’s scheduled attendance at the National Assembly Joint Session, the Presidential National Broadcast on June 12 has been cancelled. President Tinubu will deliver his address from the National Assembly,” the statement read.

Other activities planned to commemorate the day, however, will go ahead as scheduled.

In a related development, a separate notice sent to journalists earlier announced the cancellation of the traditional military parade that was initially slated as part of the Democracy Day celebrations. No official reason was provided for this cancellation.

The notice, signed by Abdulhakeem Adeoye on behalf of the Director of Information & Public Relations, outlined a revised programme of events for the day, which includes:

1. Cancellation of the Presidential National Broadcast (previously scheduled for 7 a.m.)
2. No Democracy Day Parade
3. President Tinubu’s Address at the National Assembly Joint Session at 12 noon
4. Public Lecture at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja at 4 p.m., with the theme: “Consolidating on the Gains of Nigeria’s Democracy: Necessity of Enduring Reforms”

The public lecture is expected to be attended by top government functionaries, dignitaries, and members of the diplomatic corps, and will be covered exclusively by accredited State House correspondents.