Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed on Monday announced that Nigeria will now celebrate Democracy Day on the 12th of June.
The Minister who disclosed that world leaders are not expected to attend the May 29th inauguration, but will be invited for the June 12 Democracy Day celebrations.
He disclosed that although President Muhammadu Buhari will be inaugurated for his second term on May 29th, the ceremony will be low keyed.
“ The inauguration will be low keyed and world leaders will not be invited to attend the inauguration “
Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari had recognized June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day last year in honour of MKO Abiola , the presumed winner of June 12 1993 Presidential election
The Minister while briefing State House Correspondents stated that “ President Muhammadu Buhari’s inauguration for a second term on May 29, 2019, will be a low-key affair, as a number of the events slated for the inauguration will now be held during the first observance of June 12 as the National Democracy Day.
He disclosed that the decision to have a low-key inauguration for the President was taken at the meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday, 8 May 2019.
“ The invitations have been sent to all world leaders to attend the ceremonies marking the observance of the Democracy Day on June 12.
”Since the first observance of June 12 as Democracy Day falls into an election year, and as a measure to sustain June 12 as Democracy Day, the celebration of the inauguration and the advancement of democracy in the country will now take place on June 12,” Alhaji Mohammed said, adding that the country can ill-afford two major celebrations within a two-week interval.
He said the details of the events slated for the two ceremonies will be unveiled at a world press conference slated for May 20th in Abuja.
Tony Ailemen, Abuja
