The Federal Government of Nigeria has declared Friday, June 12, 2020 as public holiday to mark this year’s Democracy Day celebration.

The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola announced this on Monday in a press release signed by Georgina Ehuriah, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior.

President Buhari had in 2018 declared June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day, instead of May 29 which has been celebrated since year 2000.

The change was made in honour of late MKO Abiola, who won the June 12 1993 presidential election which was annulled by the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida.

Read below the statement by the government:

Press Release

FG DECLARES FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2020 PUBLIC HOLIDAY TO MARK DEMOCRACY DAY CELEBRATION

The Federal Government has declared Friday, June 12, 2020 as public holiday to mark this year’s Democracy Day Celebration.

The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government congratulated all Nigerians at home and abroad for the entrenchment of democratic rule in the country.

He commended the heroes of democracy for their dogged determination and sacrifice which eventually birthed Democratic Governance in Nigeria.

Ogbeni Aregbesola called on all Nigerians 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.