June 12, the date in the nation’s history when the acclaimed freest and fairest election was conducted in 1993, is now the National Democracy Day.
With an expressed endorsement yesterday by the Senate of a bill earlier passed by the House of Representatives to that effect, June 12 has become fully immortalised, after about 26 years of agitation for the date to be accorded this recognition.
Consequently, the National Holiday Act has been amended to move Nigeria’s Democracy Day from May 29 to June 12. However, May 29 remains sacrosanct as the date when one administration will hand over to a succeeding one in compliance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution regarding the tenure of administrations in the country.
The amendment is in concurrence with the House of Representatives’ approval earlier in December 2018. The adoption was sequel to a report by the Majority Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan, for the Senate to concur with the House.
The three clauses of the amendment bill were passed by the Committee of the Whole when the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the session, put them to voice vote.
The legislation is now billed for transmission to President Muhammadu Buhari for assent.
Source: Guardian Newspaper.
