Democracy Day: President Buhari signs June 12 Bill into Law

President Buhari has signed the bill for June 12 into law. Assenting to the Public Holiday Amendment Act, the president declared June 12 of every year a public holiday and Democracy Day.

According to President Buhari’s Special Assistant on National Assembly matters, Senator Ita Enang, the amendment means May 29th will no longer be a public holiday.

Speaking during an interview on Channels TV, Senior Special Assistance to President Buhari, Garba Shehu explained that May 29th remains the inaugural day but all ceremonies associated with the inauguration have been deferred to June 12.

“We want the world to see June 12 as this country’s most important (day) as far as democracy is concerned,” he said.

Garba Shehu further explained that the inauguration will take place on May 29 due to the Constitution which says that the four-year term officially ends on the 29th

“Let me say emphatically, it is important that the President and the governors are being inaugurated on the 29th. Constitutionally, that must take place because their four-year term (2015-2019), expires on the 29th.
However, the President will be swearing an oath, taking the oath of office as would the governors be doing, but the big ceremonies associated with the inauguration have been deferred to June 12, in order that we empower, we activate this day in a big way”.