Heavy Security Presence as President Tinubu Addresses Joint Session of N’Assembly on Democracy Day
There is heavy security presence around the National Assembly complex in Abuja on Wednesday as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu addressed a special joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives to mark Nigeria’s 2025 Democracy Day.
Security operatives from multiple agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Police Force, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the military’s Guards Brigade, and the National Assembly’s Sergeant-at-Arms, were deployed in large numbers.
The usually accessible Three Arms Zone was placed under tight surveillance, with only accredited lawmakers, invited guests, staff, and journalists allowed into the complex. Vehicular movement was also restricted, and several access points were temporarily closed to prevent unauthorized entry.
The heightened security followed a call by civil society groups and activists for nationwide protests over what they describe as worsening economic hardship, insecurity, and the failure of governance.
The groups, under the banners of #EndEconomicHardship and #TakeBackNigeria, had earlier announced that peaceful demonstrations would take place across major cities, including Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Ibadan.
In a departure from tradition, President Tinubu delivered his Democracy Day address directly before the joint session of the National Assembly instead of through a national broadcast.
The president used the opportunity to reflect on Nigeria’s democratic journey since 1999 and emphasized the importance of national unity, good governance, and accountability.
He pledged his administration’s continued commitment to improving the lives of Nigerians through sustained reforms and institutional strengthening.
“As we celebrate this day, let us not forget that democracy is not just about elections but about ensuring the wellbeing and dignity of every citizen,” Tinubu told the assembled lawmakers, government officials, and invited dignitaries.
Meanwhile, reports from across the country indicated a mix of peaceful protests and heavy police presence.
In Lagos, demonstrators gathered under the Ikeja under-bridge holding placards and chanting slogans, while police officers maintained close watch to prevent any escalation.
Similar scenes were reported in Benin City and Kano, although no major incidents were confirmed by early afternoon.
Wednesday’s event highlighted the growing tension between the Tinubu administration and sections of the public expressing discontent with its economic policies.
Critics argue that the government’s recent reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira, have led to inflation and hardship for many Nigerians. Supporters, however, insist the policies are necessary steps toward long-term economic stability.
The president’s address and the symbolic nature of delivering it in the National Assembly were seen by some analysts as an effort to reassert confidence in democratic institutions and bridge the gap between the government and the governed.
As President Tinubu exited the National Assembly under heavy escort, attention now turns to how his administration will respond to the mounting public pressure for urgent economic relief.
Democracy Day 2025 was marked with both ceremony and caution—underscoring a nation still grappling with the demands of governance, the expectations of its people, and the resilience of its democratic experiment.
