‘To mark 25 years of democracy’ — Tinubu to address NASS on Wednesday

• Other than during the president’s budget presentation, joint sittings of the senate and house of representatives are rare.
• Abdulsalami Abubakar, former head of state, will also deliver a paper on ‘Reflections on the Journey to Democracy’.

President Bola Tinubu will on Wednesday address the members of the National Assembly in a joint session.

The clerk of the National Assembly, Sani Tambawal announced on Tuesday.

Tambawal, in a statement in the early hours of Tuesday, said that the president will address the lawmakers in the newly renovated chamber to mark 25 years of democracy.

“This is to inform Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members that as part of the event to commemorate 25 years of unbroken democracy and Legislature in Nigeria, there will be a joint sitting of both the Senate and the House of Representatives on Wednesday 29 May, 2024.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, will address the joint sitting on state of the nation and also commission the National Assembly Library.

“Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members are expected to be seated by 9 a.m,” the statement reads.

It would be recalled that President Tinubu ordered a low-key celebration of his first year in office.

Also expected at the sitting are Vice-President Kashim Shettima; AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq, governor of Kwara and chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum; Hope Uzodinma, governor of Imo; and George Akume, secretary to the government of the federation.

Others are Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff to the president; and Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT).

Gbajabiamila, who served as speaker of the 9th house (2019-2023), will deliver a paper on ‘Reflections on the House’, while David Mark, president of the 6th & 7th senate (2007-2015), will speak on ‘Reflections on the Senate’.

Abdulsalami Abubakar, former head of state, will also deliver a paper on ‘Reflections on the Journey to Democracy’.