All You Need To Know About Nigeria’s Presidential Inauguration
On May 29, 2023, eight years of President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure will come to an end, and Bola Tinubu along with Kashim Shettima will be sworn in as Nigeria’s 16th President and Vice respectively.
May 29, once celebrated as Nigeria’s Democracy Day, marking the transition of power from military rule to democracy in 1999 when Olusegun Obasanjo took office, has become a tradition for the swearing-in of newly elected presidents.
Nigeria’s presidential inauguration is a highly anticipated event that signifies the peaceful transfer of power from the outgoing president to the incoming president.
Here are five things you should know about Nigeria’s presidential inauguration:
Venue for the Presidential Inauguration:
Bola Tinubu is expected to be sworn in as President at the Eagle Square, Abuja. Before Abuja became Nigeria’s capital on December 12, 1991, the inauguration of Nigeria’s first elected president, Shehu Shagari, was held at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos. However, since Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999, the swearing-in of a new administration has taken place at Eagle Square. Located between the Head of Service and the Federal Secretariat buildings in the Central Business District of Abuja, the square measures 11 hectares with a total seating capacity of 5106.
Oath of Office:
The inauguration process begins with the arrival of the outgoing president and the incoming president at the venue. The Oath of Office would be administered by the Chief Justice of the Federation, Olukayode Ariwoola. As both Tinubu and his Vice are Muslims, they are expected to place both hands on a copy of the Quran while swearing to uphold the constitution of Nigeria.
Guest List:
The presidential inauguration is a highly publicised event, and guests from different parts of the world are usually invited. The guest list includes diplomats, heads of state, government officials, and other dignitaries. In 2015, Buhari’s first inauguration was attended by over 25 African Presidents/Prime Ministers, including the late Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, Jacob Zuma of South Africa, and Paul Kagame of Rwanda.
Military Parade at the Presidential Inauguration:
While there will be a high level of security around the venue, with the security agencies providing protection for the guests and the incoming president, there is expected to be a parade by the Nigerian military. On Saturday, April 15, 2023, a video purported to be Nigeria’s military rehearsing at Eagle Square was shared on social media.
The military parade would be a highly coordinated and choreographed event that showcases the various branches of Nigeria’s armed forces, including the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, and Nigerian Air Force.
Inaugural Speech:
After taking the Oath of Office, Tinubu would deliver his first speech as Nigeria’s President. The inaugural speech is expected to outline his vision for the country and plans for the next four years.
Notwithstanding the promises he makes in his inaugural speech, Tinubu is inheriting a nation with 63% (133 million) multidimensionally poor residents and 33.3% (23.18 million people) jobless citizens, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). He also inherits a nation with 21.82% inflation as of January 2023, the highest since September 2005. He is also expected to address issues of insecurity, and agitation from different parts of the country.
