National Assembly Proposes New Law to Make Its Arcade the Official Venue for Presidential Inaugurations

The National Assembly is set to introduce a bill that would officially designate its arcade as the venue for the swearing-in of Nigerian Presidents. This move was disclosed by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, during a media interaction on Tuesday in Abuja, as part of events commemorating the June 12 Democracy Day anniversary.

Bamidele said the proposed legislation is part of broader efforts by the National Assembly to deepen democratic practices and traditions in the country. He also revealed plans to introduce a separate bill mandating the annual delivery of a ‘State of the Nation Address’ by the President before a joint sitting of the Senate and House of Representatives on June 12.

According to Bamidele, the June 12 date holds profound historical and democratic significance, making it the most suitable day for such an address. He confirmed that President Bola Tinubu will be addressing a joint session of the National Assembly this Thursday as part of this year’s Democracy Day celebration, reinforcing the importance of legislative collaboration in nation-building.

“It is our desire to institutionalise the State of the Nation Address. We will bring a bill to address it, to ensure that it is institutionalised. People should look forward to it,” Bamidele said. He added that President Tinubu is supportive of the initiative and working closely with lawmakers to bring it to fruition.

On the proposed change to the presidential inauguration venue, Bamidele expressed optimism: “We are also hoping to change our political setting to the extent that the swearing-in of the next President will, by the grace of God, be in the arcade of the National Assembly of Nigeria.”

Democracy Day is celebrated annually on June 12 to honour the legacy of the late Chief MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the 1993 presidential election, widely regarded as the most transparent and credible in Nigeria’s history.