June 12, now officially Democracy Day

MKO Abiola

The Public Holiday Amendment bill has been assented into law by the Presidency.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Enang in a statement said the Act recognises June 12 as the official Democracy Day in Nigeria. 

The Act also specifies that June 12 has replaced May 29 which was introduced in 1999 as the official democracy day and the date now recognized as national public holiday by the Federal Government henceforth.

Briefing State House correspondents after President Buhari signed the Public Holiday Amendment bill into law, Senator Enang explained that May 29 every year will only be handing over date and will be a working day. 

“By the act amended and signed by Mr. President, May 29 is no more a public holiday. June 12 is now  a public holiday and the country’s Democracy Day.

Since 1999, May 29 had been observed as democracy day. 

Chief Moshood Abiola was said to be the winner of the election conducted on June 12 1993 but the result of the election was annulled by the military juncta under General Ibrahim Babangida. But Abiola died while struggling to recover his mandate.  It will be the first time the change of democracy day will be observed in the country.