President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday signed into law the Public Holiday (Amendment) Bill, making June 12 a public holiday in the country.
It also becomes the country’s official Democracy Day, replacing May 29, which hitherto was a public holiday.
The law reserves May 29 as the handover/inauguration day of new governments in the country.
The Senior Special Assistant on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang, broke the news to State House Correspondents in Abuja.
He said, “By the Act amended and signed by Mr. President, May 29 is no more a public holiday.
“June 12 is now a public holiday and the country’s Democracy Day.”
The Senate and the House of Representatives recently passed the amendment bill.
The National Assembly commenced the process of amending the bill after Buhari last year proclaimed June 12 as the country’s Democracy Day in order to capture the date as a public holiday.
The President had taken the decision to honor the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, the late MKO Abiola.
In recognition of the sacrifices the late philanthropist made for democracy, the President also bestowed the country’s highest title, Grand Commander of the Federal Republic, posthumously on him.
He also said his decision was fuelled by years of clamor by Abiola’s associates, family, and friends to honor him.
Buhari had explained, “We cannot rewind the past, but we can at least assuage our feelings, recognise that a wrong has been committed and resolve to stand firm now and ease the future for the sanctity of free elections.”
Buhari added, “Nigerians will no longer tolerate such perversion of justice. This retrospective and posthumous recognition is only a symbolic token of redress and recompense for the grievous injury done to the peace and unity of our country.”
Recall that the Federal Government scaled down activities for the inauguration of Buhari’s second term on May 29 in preference for a bigger celebration on June 12.
World leaders and other dignitaries, who would have ordinarily attended the inauguration, were invited to Democracy Day on Wednesday.