Ahead of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s expected address to a joint session of the National Assembly tomorrow, the Senate is initiating plans to formalise the tradition through legislation.
President Tinubu, who had previously appeared before lawmakers in 2024 during the official rendition of the now-restored national anthem, is set to directly engage the 460-member bicameral legislature this time in a formal Democracy Day address.
The speech is anticipated to outline key national priorities and reflect on democratic milestones.
Speaking to journalists at his Asokoro residence, Senate Leader Michael Opeyemi Bamidele disclosed that the upper chamber is preparing a bill that would mandate the annual presidential address on June 12.
“We are hoping to bring a bill soon to institutionalise the President’s address on June 12 because of its historical importance,” Bamidele said. “There can’t be a better time to address the nation through the parliament than on June 12, especially since it is a joint sitting of the National Assembly.”
He added that the proposed bill would also seek to designate the National Assembly complex as the official venue for future presidential inaugurations.
“We are hoping in that bill to ensure that the swearing-in ceremony of the next President and Commander-in-Chief of Nigeria, whom we believe is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will hold within the arcade of the National Assembly,” he added.
Bamidele further revealed that the Senate is considering an extension of the 2024 budget implementation period, particularly with respect to capital projects. He also hinted that the ongoing constitutional amendment process could be completed before the end of the current legislature’s third year.
