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The federal government has declared Monday, June 13, a public holiday to mark this year’s Democracy Day celebration.
This year’s Democracy Day – June 12 – is on a Sunday, hence the shift.
The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, made the declaration on behalf of the federal government in a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday.
The minister congratulated Nigerians on this occasion and urged all citizens to support the present administration in its efforts at ensuring a secured, united and prosperous nation.
“As we mark another Democracy Day in the history of our dear country, let us reflect on the efforts of our founding fathers and ensure that Nigeria remains one united, secured, peaceful and indivisible entity.
“With the challenges we face in Nigeria today, I see an opportunity for us not to break up or break down, but to break open; open up to ourselves in truth so that we may appreciate each other, understand each other, honour each other and live together in peace and prosperity,” Aregbesola reiterated.
The minister advised Nigerians to judiciously put into use the recently unveiled Nigeria Internal Security and Public Safety Alert System (N-Alert) Mobile App designed to mitigate security challenges and other disasters.
He assured that with the concerted efforts being put in place by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to secure the lives and property of Nigerians and stabilise the economy, the nation will continue to get better.
Until 2018, Nigerians commemorated the restoration of democracy on May 29 and the day was celebrated as Democracy Day.
But on June 6, 2018, eight days after May 29, 2018 had been celebrated as Democracy Day, the President Buhari-led Federal Government declared June 12 to be the new Democracy Day.
June 12, 1993 carries huge significance for most Nigerians. On that date, presidential election was held for the first time since the 1983 military coup.
It was an event many observers describe as the most significant in Nigeria’s post-independence political history.