TheCable

The federal government has declared June 12 as a public holiday to mark this year’s Democracy Day.

Rauf Aregbesola, minister of interior, made the announcement in a statement issued by Georgina Ehuriah, permanent secretary of the ministry of interior, on Monday.

The minister “commended the heroes of democracy for their dogged determination and sacrifice” which led to democratic governance in Nigeria.

Aregbesola called on all Nigerians at home and in the diaspora “to continue to cherish these selfless efforts and collaborate with the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Administration to ensure the realization of the democratic ideals which these Patriots fought for, even at the cost of their lives.”

This is the second time the Democracy Day will be celebrated on June 12 since the return of democracy in 1999.

It was previously celebrated on May 29,

On June 6, 2018, Buhari declared that the Democracy Day will hold on June 12 of every year.

Buhari made the declaration after the federal government honoured the late Moshood Abiola, presumed winner of the 1993 presidential election.

On December 6, 2018, the house of representatives passed the bill seeking to amend the holiday act.

The bill, which has only three clauses, was also passed by the senate on May 16, 2019, after it was put to a voice vote.

Meanwhile, in 2019, none of the former heads of state and presidents attended the Democracy Day celebrations at Eagle Square in Abuja.