Victor EzejaAll set is for the Inauguration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Nigeria’s 16th President, today, 29 May.
Dignitaries have started arriving at the Eagle Square, Abuja, venue of the swearing in ceremony, as officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces march in, preparatory to their parade.
As the armed forces get set for a parade, President Muhammadu Buhari and the President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu are expected to arrive by 10 am.
Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State, who contested on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared winner of the 25 February presidential election after scoring the highest votes, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.
Mr Tinubu’s victory is being challenged in court by his two closest rivals – Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Peter Obi of Labour Party.
The court having concluded the pre-hearing session, is expected to begin proper hearing on Tuesday, 30 May.
When sworn in, Mr Tinubu will be president of the west African country for the next four years as stipulated in the constitution which provides for two terms maximum of eight years.
At the inauguration dinner and gala night on Sunday, 28 May, Tinubu pledged to deliver on his campaign promises.
He said that although there are many challenges bedeviling the country including corruption, poverty and policy inconsistency, none of them would be an excuse for non performance.
“We have corruption, insecurity and many problems confronting us… but don’t pity me. I asked for the job. I campaigned for it. No excuses.
“I will live up to expectation, I promise you,” Tinubu said.
Some of the world leaders who have arrived Nigeria for the colourful event include the Presidents of South Africa, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Burundi, Liberia, Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Central Africa Republic, Gabon, the Prime Minister of Morocco, Vice President of Venezuela and many more.
South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, arrived Abuja on Sunday.
Also, the United States president, Joe Biden will be represented at the event by the 18th US Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Marcia L. Fudge.
Fudge in a tweet on Sunday evening expressed her gratitude for the honor to represent Biden at the event.
“Hello from Abuja, Nigeria! It is with great honor that I will represent @POTUS tomorrow at the inauguration of His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, marking a significant milestone for Nigeria,” Fudge wrote.
As Tinubu officially steps into power, there are high expectations from Nigerians to upscale infrastructure to support overall growth, revitalise the ailing economy, create policies and programmes to generate jobs to millions of Nigerians, especially the youth as unemployment currently hovers around 47 percent.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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