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FG declares Friday June 12 public holiday for Democracy Day
The Federal Government has declared Friday, June 12, 2026, a public holiday to mark 27 years of untruncated democratic rule.
Minister of Interior Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo announced the holiday on Thursday, June 11, in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Magdalene Ajani.
—“Democracy thrives on rule of law and accountability””—
Tunji-Ojo reaffirmed the government’s commitment to preserving democratic ideals, rule of law, transparency, accountability and inclusive governance as Nigeria commemorates June 12.
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He described the date as significant in the nation’s history, honouring “the courage, resilience, and sacrifices of Nigerians whose efforts made democratic governance possible.”
“Their legacies continue to inform the values and responsibilities of the Nigerian state,” the minister said.
*Security and civic responsibility stressed*
The minister assured that the Ministry of Interior, in collaboration with security agencies, would take appropriate measures to maintain and strengthen internal security during the holiday.
He noted that a secured and stable environment remains essential for democracy and national development.
Tunji-Ojo urged Nigerians to use the holiday for civic reflection. “As we mark this historic day, every Nigerian is encouraged to remain law-abiding, uphold the institutions that sustain our democracy, and remember that the strength of any democracy lies ultimately in the character of its citizens,” he stated.
—June 12 significance—
June 12 was formally adopted as Democracy Day in 2018 to honour the annulled 1993 presidential election widely believed to have been won by MKO Abiola. This year’s commemoration marks 27 years since the return to civil rule in 1999.
The holiday applies to all public and private institutions nationwide. Banks, government offices and many businesses are expected to close, while essential services will remain operational.
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FG To Introduce National Call Centre For Electricity Complaints
The Federal Government is taking steps to establish a national electricity complaints call centre that will give consumers across Nigeria a direct channel to report service challenges, seek redress, and track complaints to resolution.
The Minister of Power, Chief Joseph O. Tegbe, disclosed this at the commissioning of a 3-megawatt hybrid solar power project and Renewable Energy Workshop and Training Centre at Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja.
Tegbe said the initiative was designed to strengthen accountability, responsiveness and consumer confidence in the power sector.
“My office is working on a call centre where electricity complaints across the country can be lodged and resolved,” the Minister said, adding that the initiative would also create sustainable job opportunities for young Nigerians.
The Minister also announced plans for a dedicated reporting channel for vandalism of critical electricity infrastructure, enabling Nigerians to alert the authorities to incidents involving transformers, transmission towers and other power assets for faster intervention.
He said the Federal Government was working with the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to tackle the destruction of electricity infrastructure.
Tegbe urged Nigerians, particularly members of the university community, to see the protection of power infrastructure as a shared responsibility and to report vandalism promptly.
The commissioning of the hybrid power project provided the backdrop for the Minister’s call for greater public participation in protecting investments in the power sector.
Delivered under Phase II of the Federal Government’s Energising Education Programme by the Rural Electrification Agency, the project is designed to support teaching, research, laboratories and digital services.
At the same time, its 388 streetlights will enhance visibility and security across the campus.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Aliyu, said the establishment of the Renewable Asset Management Company would help ensure that renewable-energy assets are properly managed, maintained and protected after commissioning.
The planned complaints centre and vandalism reporting channel form part of the Federal Government’s broader effort to build a power sector that is more responsive, accountable and connected to the people it serves.
For the Federal Government, the next phase of power-sector reform is not only about building infrastructure, but ensuring that Nigerians have a clear channel to report problems, public assets are protected, and action follows complaints.
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Constitution Review: State Assemblies Await Formal Transmission, Will Act in National Interest — Speakers’ Conference Chairman
The Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, says State Houses of Assembly are awaiting the formal transmission of the resolutions of the ongoing Constitution Review exercise from the National Assembly.
Guwor, who is also the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, stated this while reacting to the announcement by the Clerk to the National Assembly that the Sixth Alteration Bill, including the proposed State Police Bill, had been transmitted to State Assemblies.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Nkem Nwaeke, the Conference Chairman said the Speakers had taken note of the development but were still expecting the formal copies of the bills.
“We are still awaiting formal transmission and as soon as we receive it, we will do what will be good for the people of Nigeria,” Guwor stated.
He said the Conference would subject the bills to thorough legislative scrutiny based on their merits upon receipt, stressing that the proposal for the establishment of State Police required careful consideration because of its implications for sub-national governance.
Guwor disclosed that the Conference of Speakers intends to engage the leadership of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) to harmonise perspectives on the proposed State Policing framework before State Houses of Assembly take their final positions.
According to him, such engagement is necessary given the constitutional responsibilities of Governors and State Legislatures in the proposed reform process.
The Speaker assured that all State Assembly Speakers would be carried along on developments and that resolutions reached by the State Houses of Assembly would be communicated to the National Assembly in accordance with Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
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Soludo pardons jailed native doctor, appoints him youth ambassador
The Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has granted a pardon to a popular native doctor, Chidozie Nwangwu, popularly known as “Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki”.
Soludo signed an order for his immediate release on Friday and pledged to work with him for the betterment of Anambra State.
Nwangwu was convicted in February and sentenced to 11 months in prison following a plea bargain at the Awka High Court after pleading guilty to charges related to the practice of “Okeite” and other related matters.
The court had also ordered the destruction of his shrine in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area of the state.
He was among eight native doctors arrested in 2025 following the passage of the Anambra State Homeland Security Law 2025.
He was charged with involvement in the promotion of money rituals, quick wealth and the use of human parts for rituals.
He was later handed an 11-month prison sentence and incarcerated at the Nigeria Correctional Service facility in Amawbia, Anambra State. He was also given the condition of renouncing his fetish practice and promising to become an ambassador for youth reformation.
Nwangwu accepted the conditions and had been serving his prison term until Soludo pardoned him under the prerogative of mercy, making him Ambassador for Youth Reformation in Anambra State.
The Special Adviser to the governor on Youth Reformation, Dr Nelson Omenugha, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, saying the governor had visited the prison in fulfilment of his duties when he made the announcement.
Omenugha said, “Thank you, Mr Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, for graciously extending your hand of mercy to Chidozie Nwangwu (Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki) and giving him a new responsibility as Ambassador for Youth Reformation.
“This is the heart of Youth Reformation: not just punishment, but correction, restoration, a new purpose and a new Onye Anambra.”
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