The Federal Government has announced the cancellation of the military parade for the Democracy Day celebration scheduled for Thursday, June 12, 2025.
According to information from the Inter-Ministerial Committee responsible for the Democracy Day events, the traditional parade will no longer take place this year.
Instead, President Tinubu will begin the day with a nationwide broadcast at 7 a.m., delivering a message to Nigerians.
Later, at 12 noon, he will address a special joint session of the National Assembly.
The joint session will focus on discussing the current state of the nation and Nigeria’s democratic progress over the years.
It will also include calls for national unity and the need for reforms in the country’s governance system.
In the afternoon, a public lecture is planned for 4 p.m. at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.
This event will gather government officials, political leaders, and civil society representatives to reflect on Nigeria’s democratic journey under the theme of strengthening democracy through lasting reforms.
The government has encouraged citizens to watch the president’s broadcast and take part in conversations aimed at deepening democratic values and reforming institutions.
However there are unfounded reports suggesting that the real reason behind the cancellation of this year’s Democracy Day parade may be linked to last year’s incident involving President Tinubu.
During the 2024 ceremony, the president tripped and fell while attempting to board the presidential vehicle at the parade ground, raising concerns about his health.
Although the presidency dismissed the concerns, insisting the president was fine and only missed a step, many Nigerians remained worried.
Later that day, Tinubu downplayed the incident, describing it as a “dobale” — a traditional gesture of respect — for democracy.
Now, with the parade cancelled this year, some believe the move is an attempt to avoid a similar episode from happening again.
