Preparations In Top Gear For Tinubu’s Inauguration

By Marsha Owoicho

The countdown to the May 29th inauguration of the new administration has commenced in earnest with ceremonies lined up this week leading to the swearing in at the Eagle Square on Monday, May 29.

The transition program, christened “NIGERIA: Better Together”, was released by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) last week. It will feature 13 events throughout the eight days.

One key activity lined up is the conferment of the National Honours on President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President-elect Kasim Shettima on Thursday, May 25, 2023. They will be conferred with the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic and Grand Commander of the Order of Niger, respectively, by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd). It is the norm for the outgoing president to confer the title of GCFR on the incoming president. The only exception was in 2010 when President Umaru Yar’Adua died and Vice President Goodluck Jonathan had to be sworn in. His GCFR was conferred on him by the Council of State.

Speaking on the transition programs last week the SGF Boss Mustapha said, “I am delighted to inform you that May 29, 2023, will mark the 7th consecutive democratic transition of power in Nigeria and on that day, we shall all be ushering in the 16th President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Gentlemen of the press, let me once again assure Nigerians and indeed the global community of President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to the seamless transfer of power to President-Elect, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the 16th President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“In a demonstration of this commitment, the president has directed all relevant government institutions to cooperate with and support the transition process through engagement with the president-elect’s team.”

Mustapha, who is the Chairman of the Presidential Transition Council, released the schedule at a press briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja last week.

The Schedule of events indicate that on Tuesday 23rd May, 2023, there will be a Regimental Dinner in honour of the Commander in Chief

at the Officers Mess @ 7:00 p.m.

On Wednesday, 24th May 2023, there will be the Valedictory Federal Executive Council Meeting at the Council Chambers, Presidential Villa

On Thursday, 25th May, 2023, is the

Investiture of the President-Elect and Vice-President-Elect with the National Honors of Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR) and Grand Commander of Order of the Niger (GCON) respectively and Handover of Transition Documents State House Conference Centre @ 10:00am

Friday 26th May, 2023, is the Public Lecture and Jumaat Prayer at the National Mosque @ 10:00am & 1:30 pm, respectively.

On Saturday 27th May, 2023, the Inauguration Lecture on the topic: Deepening Democracy for Integration and Development by His Excellency, Uhuru M. Kenyatta, former President of Kenya, will hold at the International Conference Centre, @ 10:00am.

Saturday 27th May, 2023. That being Children’s Day, there is also a children’s day Program that will include Parade and Children’s Party at the Old Parade Ground at 10:00am, and State House Conference Centre at 2:00pm, respectively.

On Sunday, 28th May, 2023, an Inter-denominational Church Service will be held at the National Christian Centre at 10:00am. The Inauguration Dinner/Gala Night, takes place at State House Conference Centre at 7:00pm.

The Inauguration Parade and Swearing-In takes place on Monday, 29th May, 2023, at Eagle Square, CBD at 10:00 a.m. A Post Inauguration Luncheon will follow at the  State House Banquet Hall at 1:30 pm (Strictly for Mr President with visiting Presidents, Heads of Government and his invited guests).

Already, in preparation for the inauguration, police have raised surveillance and taken measures to stem any disturbance. At a news briefing in Abuja, Inspector-General of Police Usman Baba, said the police is working with other security agencies to stem any disturbance from disgruntled persons.

Baba said: “Following the successful conclusion of the 2023 general election, it has been observed that some major political actors that the outcome did not favour have been issuing public threats that are directed at instigating actions to frustrate the presidential inauguration ceremony on May 29, 2023.

“The Nigeria Police and the national intelligence community have been closely monitoring the activities of these political elites as well as other elements, who have formed themselves into unpatriotic brands, whose only fantasy, in recent times, is to subvert our national security interests.

“Consequently, while the Nigeria Police, in synergy with other security agencies and the intelligence community, continues to closely monitor the activities of these political elements, it has become expedient to make some clear statements.

“Firstly, the Nigeria Police hereby sternly warns all political actors with subversive agenda and their collaborators, particularly, their foot soldiers, who they are exposing to political radicalisation and extremism to, henceforth, jettison their on-going premeditated attempts to create tension within the national space with intention of derailing the 29th May 2023 presidential inauguration ceremony.

“Secondly, any such persons, regardless of their political affiliations who continuously engage in acts that are inimical to our nation’s democratic and security interests should not be in doubt on the firm determination of the Nigeria Police under my watch to closely collaborate with the law enforcement family and the intelligence community to defend our democracy, keep the internal security order stable and optimally deploy our common unique assets towards guaranteeing the successful conduct of the presidential inauguration ceremony.”

The Federal Government has also ordered the closure of roads linking Federal Secretariat Complexes of Phase I, II, III and Ministry of Foreign Affairs  from 2:00 p. m. on Friday May 26,  to Monday May 29. Dr Ngozi Onwudiwe, Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office, office of the Head of the Service of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF), made the disclosure in a circular in Abuja on Friday last week.

According to Onwudiwe, the order is in line with  security arrangements by the Presidential Transition Council, for the smooth conduct of the inauguration parade for the swearing-in ceremony of President-Elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu on May 29. “Accordingly, officers and intending visitors to the affected areas will not be allowed access till Tuesday May 30 when work will resume in earnest.”

The president elect, who travelled out of the country two weeks ago is expected back before Tuesday, May 23rd for the pre-inauguration events.