By Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

Today, at the historic Eagle Square, in the heart of Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu would mount the podium to take his oath of office and that of allegiance, to effectively become President of Nigeria, Africa’s largest country.

The occasion will also mark the end of the reign of Muhammadu Buhari, who has been holding sway as leader of the most populous black nation on earth for eight years.

Also to be sworn-in at a ceremony to be conducted by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, to be assisted by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, will be Tinubu’s Vice, Kashim Shettima.

The event of today follows the declaration of Tinubu as winner of the February 22, 2023 presidential election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) where he defeated closest challenger, Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP).

Tinubu was declared the winner of the Saturday, February 25 poll, coming top in 12 of Nigeria’s 36 states and securing significant numbers in several other states to claim the highest number of votes.

Abubakar, 76, who has now run for president six times, got 6,984,520 votes, while the candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, who, in less than a year, galvanised young voters in the country finished third with 6,101,533 votes.

On March 1, 2023, the Independent National Electoral Commission presented the certificate of return to the President-elect.

The certificate was presented to Tinubu by the INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, at the International Conference Centre in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

His running mate Kashim Shettima also got his certificate of return at the event.

Moment after receiving his certificate of return, the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu jetted out of the country for vacation.

Initial reports suggested that Tinubu was rushed abroad for medical treatment, but the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council later debunked that, saying the President-elect was out of the country for vacation.

Reacting to the news of Tinubu’s illness, the APC PCC Director of Media and Publicity, Bayo Onanuga, denied the allegation, saying his principal only went to rest abroad.

On Thursday, Buhari conferred Nigeria’s highest national honour, GCFR) on Tinubu. The second highest national honour, GCON, was also conferred on Vice President-elect Kashim Shettima.

The award ceremony took place at the Banquet Hall, State House Conference Centre, Abuja.

Buhari also handed the transition documents and the baton of service to the incoming president at the occasion.

Three days to the presidential inauguration, the Supreme Court dismissed the suit filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seeking the disqualification of Bola Tinubu as a candidate in the last presidential election.

The suit, which alleged the inappropriate nomination of Mr Tinubu’s running mate for the February 2023 presidential election, Kashim Shettima, sought to stop the president-elect from being sworn in as president on 29 May.

A five-person panel led by Inyang Okoro dismissed the suit unanimously on Friday.

Adamu Jauro, a member of the panel who delivered the lead judgement, held that the PDP lacked the legal right to file a suit on an internal affair of APC.

“It should be noted that no political party can challenge the nomination of another political party.

“A political party lacks the right to challenge the activities of INEC on account of the nomination of another political party’s candidate.

“No court has the jurisdiction to entertain such a suit by another party,” the court held.

Still on Friday, Buhari conducted the incoming President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu around his own office building and other affiliated offices including the Executive Council Chamber, Tea Room, the Press Gallery, and the State House Banquet Hall.

The President-elect took all explanations and interacted freely with the President and acknowledged State House officials as they went round as they also spoke at personal levels.

Responding to questions from a television reporter following the tour which took place soon after the two of them prayed the Juma’at prayer at the State House Mosque, the President-elect said he prayed to God to give him strength, wisdom and good health to run the affairs of the nation.

He urged Nigerians to support the All Progressives Congress’s change agenda.

He also spoke on his “Renewed Hope” agenda to revamp Nigeria’s economy, tackle security and poverty reduction, and what generally Nigerians should expect of him.

Buhari said it is an honour and extraordinary privilege to serve the nation and wished the incoming President success as he prepares to take office.

We Must Improve, Sustain Gains in Electoral Process – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday implored Nigerians to sustain the gains made in the nation’s electoral process to take its rightful place among nations.

Buhari, , who stated this in a farewell broadcast yesterday in Abuja, also enjoined citizens to bring to bear the strength of individualism, the power of unity and the convictions of beliefs to make Nigeria work better, together with one spirit and one purpose.

“Today we mark and celebrate another peaceful transition of power from one elected government to another in our steady march to improve and sustain Nigeria’s democracy.

“This year we witnessed the most keenly contested presidential elections since the first republic and this demonstrates that our democracy is getting better and more entrenched with each election.

“We must as a nation improve and sustain gains we make in the electoral process, on an incremental basis for Nigeria to take its rightful place among Nations.

“Our democracy provides for, allows and encourages seeking redress for perceived injustices, enabling some candidates and political parties that did not agree with the results to go to court,” he said.

The president urged all parties involved in the 2023 general elections to accept the decision of the courts irrespective of the outcome of the various cases and should join hands to build a better Nigeria.

“I salute the doggedness and resilience of all the presidential candidates and their political parties for believing in our judicial system by taking their grievances with the election results to court.

“In the course of the campaigns, we had argued and disagreed on how to make Nigeria better but we never disagreed or had any doubts that Nigeria has to be better,” he said.

The president again congratulated the President-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu, for realising his political dream which he said, was originated out of the desire to make the nation greater and safer.

Buhari described Tinubu as the best candidate among all the contestants and “Nigerians have chosen well.”

“To my brother, friend and fellow worker in the political terrain for the past ten years – Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu -, I congratulate you on the realisation of your dream, which was propelled by a burning passion to put Nigeria amongst the leading nations of the world.

“You have indeed worked for this day and God has crowned your efforts.

“I have no doubt that your passion for excellence, reliance on competence, fairness in relationships, commitment to equity, loyalty to the country and desire for Nigeria to be globally relevant would come through for you, under God’s guidance, as you lead our country to levels higher that I am leaving.

“You are the best candidate among all the contestants and Nigerians have chosen well,” he said.

The president maintained that the last eight years had been an exciting experience in his desire and commitment to see a Nigeria in which public goods and services are available, and accessible within a united, peaceful and secure nation.

“Fellow Nigerians, on the strength of your overwhelming support for me and my political party, I started this journey with a great deal of promise and expectation from you.

“I never intended to be just politically correct but to do the correct things that will make meaningful impact on the lives of the common Nigerian.

“This high expectation was not misplaced because, like the ordinary Nigerian, I had grown tired of watching the country progressively moving away from the path of correctness,” he added.

Eagle Square Ready for Inauguration

The Eagle Square, the venue for the 2023 Presidential inauguration has been given a facelift.

The 5000 sitting capacity venue had undergone some level of renovation in the build up to the inauguration, which would hold in less than 24 hours.

The venue had been adorned with Nigerian flags and flags of other countries, while some parts had been repainted.

The Very Important Personality (VIP) Pavilion was among parts of the square that was repainted worked on ahead the inauguration.

The Eagle Square was constructed in 1999 to mark take-off of the Fourth Republic and had been the venue for presidential inauguration since then.

The square also served as venue for other activities like Worker’s Day celebration and political rallies among others.

Meanwhile, security had been beefed up within and around the square in preparation for the inauguration of a new government on May 29.

Part of the security measures was the restriction of movement within and around the Eagle Square.

National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno had said there would be restriction of movement at a certain range around the Eagle Square.

Monguno, who heads the Security, Facilities and Intelligence Committee of the Presidential Transition Council (PTC), said there would be traffic diversion around the area.

He also said there would be provision of alternative routes for motorists and pedestrians.

The NSA said, “If you have no business with security you need not be near the vicinity of the programme especially on the inauguration day.”

Access to the venue will only be allowed to accredited persons and designated vehicles on the inauguration day.

Meanwhile, the inauguration day, Monday, May 29, has been declared public holiday.