Tinubu to Confer National Honours on Legislators Ahead of Democracy Day on June 12

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to bestow national honours on selected legislators in a ceremony marking Democracy Day on June 12. The investiture is scheduled to take place at the presidential villa in Abuja, bringing together top government figures, including lawmakers, judiciary leaders, and pro-democracy activists . Democracy Day, commemorated annually on June 12, honours Nigeria’s return to democratic rule and the sacrifices of heroes like Chief MKO Abiola .

In a related development, reports from Premium Times indicate that Tinubu has previously conferred national honours on key legislative and judicial leaders—including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Chief Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, and their deputies—during past Independence and Democracy Day celebrations . These awards ranged from the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) to Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), reflecting their protocol ranking and contributions to national governance .

Democracy Day is celebrated to honour the “unbroken democratic governance” since Nigeria's return to civilian rule in 1999 — a legacy formalised when President Muhammadu Buhari officially shifted the date of the holiday from May 29 to June 12 in 2018 . Today, the day is marked by parades, official speeches, wreath-laying ceremonies, and the state banquet intended to acknowledge the sacrifices of democracy’s veterans .

As Tinubu prepares for the June 12 event, the planned conferral of awards on legislators is being viewed as part of his broader effort to strengthen democratic institutions and acknowledge cooperation between the executive and legislative arms. Observers note that the ceremony also presents an opportunity for bipartisan recognition and national unity, essential elements in sustaining democratic growth.

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