The National Assembly has unveiled plans to introduce a bill mandating that the Presidents-elect be sworn in at the arcade of the National Assembly, rather than other venues.
The Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, made this known on Tuesday in Abuja while responding to questions during an event marking the June 12 Democracy Day anniversary.
Bamidele stated that the proposed legislation is part of broader efforts to deepen Nigeria’s democratic traditions.
He also disclosed that the National Assembly would propose another bill requiring the President to deliver a State of the Nation Address before a joint session of the National Assembly annually on June 12.
The National Assembly has invited President Bola Tinubu to address a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives on Thursday as part of activities marking the 2025 Democracy Day.
“It is our desire to institutionalise the State of the Nation Address. We will sponsor a bill to that effect, so that Nigerians can look forward to it every year,” Bamidele said.
“President Tinubu is working with the National Assembly in this regard. June 12 will be a more meaningful time for the President to address the nation because of its historical significance.
“We are also hoping to reform our political tradition so that the swearing-in of the next President will, by God’s grace, take place at the arcade of the National Assembly.”
Democracy Day is observed in Nigeria every June 12 in honour of the late Chief MKO Abiola, winner of the annulled 1993 presidential election—widely regarded as the freest and fairest in Nigeria’s history.
