Tinubu’s inauguration programmes begin Thursday, FG warns trouble makers to stay off

The inauguration programmes for the President-elect Bola Tinubu will begin on Thursday with the investiture of Tinubu with the Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic and the Vice-President-elect, Kashim Shettima, as the Grand Commander of Order of the Niger. He will be sworn in as the 16th President of Nigeria on May 29.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, addressing journalists in Abuja on Thursday disclosed that scores of world leaders would attend the event.

Unveiling the inauguration programmes, Mustapha, who doubles as the Chairman of the  Presidential Transition Council, disclosed that Tinubu and the Vice President-elect, Kashim Shettima would be honoured with the Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic and Grand Commander of Order of the Niger, respectively, on May 25.

Reeling out the activities for the event, he further disclosed that transition documents would be handed over to Tinubu and Shettima on the same day.

Similarly, he said the former president of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, would deliver the inauguration lecture.

The lecture titled, ‘Deepening Democracy for Integration and Development’ would be held on May 27.

Other activities include the Regimental Dinner in honour of the Commander-in-Chief at the Armed Forces Officers Mess slated for Tuesday, May 23; the Valedictory Federal Executive Council Meeting at the Council Chambers inside the Presidential Villa on May 24; Public Lecture and Juma’at prayer at the National Mosque on May 26; Children’s Day Parade and Party on May 27 and an Inter-denominational Church Service at the National Christian Centre on May 28.

Also, the Inauguration Dinner/Gala Night at the State House Conference Centre is billed for May 28 while the inauguration/swearing-in of the president-elect and the vice president-elect will take place on May 29 accompanied by an inauguration parade at the Eagle Square.

There will also be a post-inauguration luncheon strictly for the President with his colleague Presidents, Heads of Government and guests at the State House Banquet Hall after the inauguration ceremony.

The SGF revealed that many world leaders had indicated interest in attending the event.

“So far, invitations have been sent to Presidents and Heads of Government as well as Heads of international organisations. We are also glad to report that many of these invitees have confirmed attendance in person,’’ he affirmed.

But when asked about the identities of the leaders, the SGF said, “Diplomatic privilege does not allow us to announce the number of people coming. If you know what is happening globally, we cannot tell you who is coming. We leave that to their embassies to make it public.”

Mustapha insisted that the handover would hold despite the court cases seeking the cancellation of the ceremony.

The transition committee chairman noted, “The inauguration would not be stopped pending the determination of the cases in court. This is not the first time we have had elections. In my political life, I have seen different transitions.

‘’From Shagari’s period to Buhari, the inauguration went on despite court cases. In 2003, Buhari spent months at the tribunal up till the Supreme Court. He repeated the process three times. The only election that was not litigated was in 2015 when Jonathan conceded defeat. With or without litigation, the handover will be held on May 29. The Constitution and Electoral Act are clear on this.

The SGF disclosed that the theme for the inauguration is, ‘Nigeria: Better Together,’ adding that the event is historic for the country as well as the international community.

He added, “The upcoming event is historically significant to this great nation and the international community, particularly Africa because of the democratic values and lessons in nationhood. For these reasons, we have chosen, ‘Nigeria: Better Together’, as the theme for the 2023 transition.

‘’I am delighted to inform you that May 29, 2023, will mark the seventh 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.

“The significance of the above is underscored by the desire of this administration to lay a solid foundation for seamless transition of power by institutionalizing the process through legislation.”

According to him, the transition council interfaced and learnt from the transition processes practised in the United States of America and Kenya, expressing hope that Nigeria would have legislation on presidential transition soon.

Mustapha said, “In furtherance of discharging its functions, the PTC also interfaced with leading democratic nations including the United States of America and the Republic of Kenya, as part of its learning efforts to pick up useful lessons in line with international best practices.

“It is important to also state that these countries have specific legislations on Presidential Transition, some of which date back to 1963. It is our expectation that specific legislation on presidential transition in Nigeria would be passed soon.”

On the security of the venues and guests, Mustapha said adequate measures had been put in place.

“Adequate arrangements have been made for the safety and security of all people throughout the inauguration period,’’ the official assured.

The Chairman, Security, Facilities, and Intelligence Committee and National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, said covert and overt operations had been put in place to secure the venues as well as hotels for guests’ accommodation.

Monguno added that attacks during the events were not being envisaged, warning those who have no business at the venues of the events to steer clear of them.

He said, “Our primary function is to provide both overt and covert security cover for all the venues where the stated activities would be held, including the hotels where guests would be staying. The span of our work is before, during, and after the inauguration.

‘’My advice is that if you have no business at the venue, you need not be there. The most important message I would like to pass across to you is that we do not envisage anything negative. Everybody should be calm, especially those coming from other countries.”

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have assured of tight security in the Federal Capital Territory during the inauguration ceremony.

The police noted that adequate personnel and equipment had been deployed for the activities leading to D-Day.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the development during an interview with our correspondent on Thursday.

Adejobi said, “We have made adequate deployment of personnel and equipment for activities lined up for the presidential inauguration, and also for the inauguration ceremony itself. All security exigencies have been checked. There’s no cause for alarm as the inauguration ceremony will be held seamlessly.

“The police will provide adequate manpower and equipment for the security of everyone, and there’s no threat to the inauguration as everything has been put in check.”

The Spokesperson for the NSCDC, Olusola Odumosu, said no fewer than 3,000 operatives had been deployed on covert and overt operations ahead of the transition programme.

Giving an update on the preparations on Thursday, he said, “The NSCDC will be deploying 3,000 personnel for the inauguration of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu. The personnel will be deployed from the National Headquarters and the Federal Capital Territory Command. It is going to be a joint effort with other security agencies to ensure the success of the inauguration.”

In a related development, Ali Ali, the Coordinator of the Peace and Stability Initiative, said the group had uncovered plans by local and foreign interests to thwart the May 29 inauguration of the new administration.

In a statement on Thursday, Ali said foreign agents collaborating with local organisations masquerading as civil society groups are at the centre of the plot.

He said the plans had been in the works since Tinubu was announced as the president-elect on March 1.

“These agents of destabilisation have not relented in their evil plots even though we are just a few days away from the May 29, 2023 inauguration of a new central government that will be led by the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the statement read.