First inauguration of Muhammadu Buhari

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First presidential inauguration of
Muhammadu Buhari
Incoming and Outgoing Nigerian Presidents Wave to Crowd Amid Peaceful Inaugural in Abuja.jpg
Incoming and outgoing Nigerian Presidents
Date29 May 2015;9 years ago (2015-05-29)
Location Eagle Square,
Abuja, F.C.T.
Organized byPresidential Transition Committee
Participants Muhammadu Buhari
15th president of Nigeria
— Assuming office

Mahmud Mohammed
Chief Justice of Nigeria
— Administering oath

Yemi Osinbajo
14th vice president of Nigeria
— Assuming office

Mahmud Mohammed
Chief Justice of Nigeria
— Administering oath
  2011
2019  

The first inauguration of Muhammadu Buhari as the 15th president of Nigeria, and 4th president in the fourth Nigerian Republic took place on Friday, 29 May 2015, marking the start of the first four-year term of Muhammadu Buhari as president and Yemi Osinbajo as vice president. It was the 7th presidential inauguration in Nigeria, and 5th in the fourth republic. [1] [2]

Contents

The Federal Government declared 29 May a public holiday. [3] More than fifty representatives from foreign governments were expected to attend the inauguration. The government intended to spend less than 2 billion (US$10 million) for the ceremony. [4]

Background

Buhari won the presidential election by more than 2.5 million votes. [5]

On 17 May 2015, Buhari's campaign spokesperson said that following the inauguration, the President "would simply be addressed as Muhammadu Buhari, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria." He would also not prefer to be addressed as "Mr., Alhaji or Mallam". [6] Buhari's official portrait was also unveiled on the same day. [7]

On 24 May 2015, the All Progressives Congress issued a statement saying that outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan was "handing over a nation in deep crisis" and that there was "no electricity, no fuel, workers are on strike, billions are owed to state and federal workers, $60 billion are owed in national debt and the economy is virtually grounded". [8]

On 26 May 2015, the National Union of Nigerian Students issued a statement saying that South African President Jacob Zuma was not welcome due to his "poor handling" of the recent xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals in his country. It also stated that there is "no point felicitating with a people who clearly do not matter much to you" and his visit will only amount to pretence. [9]

On 27 May 2015, Premium Times reported that the ruling People's Democratic Party had deliberately received the bulk of the 5,000 invitation cards as there were plans to allegedly boo the outgoing president. They also didn't want him to be embarrassed and instead give him a "cheerful exit". [10] Following appeal made by many to probe the outgoing administration, President Jonathan during a valedictory session of the Federal Executive Council, said that any future probe should be "extended beyond [his] administration. Otherwise.. it [would] be witch-hunt". [11]

Suleiman Hashimu walked 750 km from Lagos to Abuja, fulfilling his vow that he had made if General Buhari won the presidency. It took him 18 days to trek the route. He had taken with him ₦100,000 ($500) but only spent ₦3,500 as he was catered for by the people along the way. [12]

Pre-inaugural events

DateActivityVenue
Friday, 22 May Jumu'ah (Friday) Prayers Abuja National Mosque
Sunday, 24 MayChurch Service and Thanksgiving National Church of Nigeria
Thursday, 28 MayInauguration Dinner State House Conference Hall

Inaugural events

Swearing-in-Ceremony

The official swearing-in ceremony took place at Eagle Square in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory from 0800 hours (UTC+1). [13] Chief Justice Mahmud Mohammed administered the oath of office taken by President elect Buhari. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was sworn in at 10:41 AM. President Muhammadu Buhari was sworn in at 10:51 AM after which he delivered his inaugural speech.

Inauguration speech (excerpt)

Having just a few minutes ago sworn on the Holy Book, I intend to keep my oath and serve as President to all Nigerians. I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody. A few people have privately voiced fears that on coming back to office I shall go after them. These fears are groundless. There will be no paying off old scores. The past is prologue.

Furthermore, we as Nigerians must remind ourselves that we are heirs to great civilizations: Shehu Othman Dan Fodio’s caliphate, the Kanem–Bornu Empire, the Oyo Empire, the Benin Empire and King Jaja’s formidable domain. The blood of those great ancestors flow in our veins.

The most immediate [challenge] is Boko Haram’s insurgency. Progress has been made in recent weeks by our security forces but victory can not be achieved by basing the command and control Centre in Abuja. [It] will be relocated to Maiduguri and remain until Boko Haram is completely subdued. But we can not claim to have defeated Boko Haram without rescuing the Chibok girls and all other innocent persons held hostage by insurgents. This government will do all it can to rescue them alive. Boko Haram is a mindless, godless group who are as far away from Islam as one can think of.

It is a national shame that an economy of 180 million [people] generates only 4,000 MW, and distributes even less.

Muhammadu Buhari [14]

Inauguration Luncheon

A luncheon was held at the State House Banquet Hall at midday. President Buhari left the programme midway in order to attend the Friday weekly prayers. [15]

Inauguration Gala

A gala was held in the evening.

Attendance

Invitations were sent to 54 African countries and other nations. [1] Outgoing First Lady Patience Jonathan did not attend the ceremony. [16] Former Nigerian Heads of State who were in attendance included General Yakubu Gowon, President Shehu Shagari (ousted by Buhari), General Ibrahim Babangida (deposed Buhari), Interim President Ernest Shonekan, General Abdulsalami Abubakar and General Olusegun Obasanjo. [17]

Dignitaries

President Jonathan with Buhari. Nigerian President Jonathan Sits With President-Elect Buhari Amid His Inauguration Ceremony in Abuja.jpg
President Jonathan with Buhari.
Security personnel hold hands to form human chain. Security Personnel Hold Hands to Form Human Chain as Nigerian President Jonathan Transferred Power to President-Elect Buhari.jpg
Security personnel hold hands to form human chain.
CountryTitleDignitary
Flag of Angola.svg  Angola Vice President Manuel Vicente [18]
Flag of Benin.svg  Benin President Thomas Boni Yayi [19]
Flag of Burkina Faso.svg  Burkina Faso President Michel Kafando [20]
Flag of Chad.svg  Chad President Idriss Déby [21]
Flag of the Republic of the Congo.svg  Congo–Brazzaville President Denis Sassou Nguesso [22]
Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Ethiopia Prime Minister Haile Mariam Desalegne [23]
Flag of Equatorial Guinea.svg  Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo [24]
Flag of Gabon.svg  Gabon President Ali Bongo Ondimba [25]
Flag of The Gambia.svg  Gambia Vice President Isatou Njie-Saidy [26]
Flag of Ghana.svg  Ghana President John Mahama [27]
Flag of Guinea.svg  Guinea President Alpha Condé [28]
Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya Deputy President William Ruto [29]
Flag of Liberia.svg  Liberia President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf [30]
Flag of Mali.svg  Mali President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta [31]
Flag of Mozambique.svg  Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi [32]
Flag of Namibia.svg  Namibia President Hage Geingob [33]
Flag of Niger.svg  Niger President Mahamadou Issoufou [19]
Flag of Rwanda.svg  Rwanda President Paul Kagame [34]
Flag of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.svg  Sahrawi Republic Prime Minister Abdelkader Taleb Omar [35]
Flag of Sao Tome and Principe.svg  São Tomé and Príncipe President Manuel Pinto da Costa [36]
Flag of Senegal.svg  Senegal President Macky Sall [37]
Flag of Sierra Leone.svg  Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma [38]
Flag of Somalia.svg  Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud [39]
Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa President Jacob Zuma [40]
Flag of South Sudan.svg  South Sudan Vice President James Wani Igga [ citation needed ]
Flag of Eswatini.svg  Swaziland King Mswati III [41]
Flag of Tanzania.svg  Tanzania Vice President Mohamed Gharib Bilal [42]
Flag of Togo (3-2).svg  Togo President Faure Gnassingbé [43]
Flag of Zambia.svg  Zambia Vice President Inonge Wina [44]
Flag of Zimbabwe.svg  Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe [45]

Spouses of HOSG

CountryTitleDignitary
Flag of Namibia.svg  Namibia First Lady Monica Geingob [33]
Flag of Tanzania.svg  Tanzania Second LadyAsha Bilal [42]

Government representatives

Secretary Kerry waves Upon arriving at Eagle Square Secretary Kerry Waves Upon Arriving at Eagle Square in Abuja.jpg
Secretary Kerry waves Upon arriving at Eagle Square
Buhari with John Kerry. Secretary Kerry Shakes Hands With Newly Sworn-in Nigerian President Buhari.jpg
Buhari with John Kerry.
CountryTitleDignitary
Flag of Algeria.svg  Algeria SpeakerMohamed Larbi Ould Khelifa [46]
Flag of Botswana.svg  Botswana Foreign Minister Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi [47]
Flag of Cameroon.svg  Cameroon Vice Prime Minister Amadou Ali [48]
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China Agriculture Minister Han Changfu [49]
Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg  Côte d'Ivoire Foreign MinisterCharles Koffi Diby [50]
Flag of Egypt.svg  Egypt Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry [51]
Flag of France.svg  France Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius [13]
Flag of Namibia.svg  Namibia Foreign Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah [33]
Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud [52]
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov [53]
Flag of Somalia.svg  Somalia Foreign MinisterAbdi Salan Hdaliye [39]
Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa Foreign Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane [54]
Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea Special Envoy Lee Ju-young [55]
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond [56]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Secretary of State John Kerry [57]
Flag of Zimbabwe.svg  Zimbabwe Foreign Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi [45]

International organisations

OrganisationTitleDignitary
African Union Chairperson of the AU Commission Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma [58]

Controversies

Uhuru Kenyatta.png
Kenyatta
Robert Mugabe, 12th AU Summit, 090202-N-0506A-417.jpg
Mugabe

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta was scheduled to attend the ceremony but cancelled following outrage from Kenyans when details of his 84-member entourage was leaked. [59] The Kenyan Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary denied these reports and described the list as fake. Citizen News reported that the two-day trip would have cost at least KSh.  20,000,000/= (about US$200,000) in allowances and airfare. [60] Instead, Deputy President William Ruto accompanied by ten officials, represented the president. [61]

At the inauguration ceremony, Sahara Reporters' Adeola Fayehun asked Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe when he would be stepping down. [62] Fayehun asked him if there was democracy in Zimbabwe and that it was time for him to step down. [63] Mugabe's spokesperson George Charamba described the reporters as "activists with cameras" and that they "took advantage of protocol restrictions that were imposed on delegations." [64] Zimbabwe's Information Minister Jonathan Moyo tweeted that the reporters were "political activists masquerading as journalists who imagine their country as a model of democracy." [65] Moyo also stated that "free countries have rules including diplomatic courtesy not the display of Boko Haram journalism." [66]

See also

References

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