Nigeria's change of government just ended in Abuja a moment ago with drama and glimpses of what Nigeria's future under the new rule holds. The swearing in of Muhammadu Buhari and Yemi Osinbajo as the president and vice president of the federal republic of Nigeria respectively. President Buhari is also the commader-in-chief of the country's armed forces.
In a colourful ceremony, former President Goodluck Jonathan, looking more subdued than before, performed his final official duties as he handed over the instruments of office to the oncoming administration. Conspicuously absent is former First Lady Patience Jonathan.
Shortly afterwards, vice president Yemi Osinbajo, resplendent in a white flowing agbada robe, accompanied by his wife, also decked in a white traditional Yoruba costume of iro erapper and buba blouse with white headtie, held aloft a copy of the Holy Bible and took his oath of office as administered by Mohammed Adoke, the chief justice if the federation, himself attired in the ceremonial red robe. After this ceremony, he signed the form attesting to this action.
To electrified shouts of "Sai Buhari, Sai Baba!!" from the ecstatic crowd, President Buhari then calmly strutted in measured gait towards the podium where he accepted a copy of the Holy Qu'ran and swore to discharge his duties without fear or favour, constitutionally, as the country's president and commander-in-chief of Nigeria's armed forces and customarily, signed the attestation form. Then, he received the symbolic instruments of office which were initially handed over by Jonathan moments earlier to the chief justice during the ceremony.
To "Allah Ki aye" songs by King Wasiu Marshall, a noted fuji musician and danced to by Gov. Adams Oshiomhole of Benin among other watchers, Buhari was discreetly accompanied by his three personal bodyguards or shadows comprising two officers from the elite Brigade if Guards within the Nigerian army and one from the navy, the new president proceeded to the podium where he made his inaugural address. Characteristically direct, blunt and short, President Buhari recognised his wife in the salutation to applause. This a departure from frequent reports portraying him as sternly disapproving of such display of affection. Their body language during the ceremony discountenanced the idea. Throughout the event, First Lady Aisha Buhari sat with her upper body tilted towards President Buhari; she and her husband had their hands relaxedly placed on the armrest between them.
In the address, President Buhari lauded his predecessor for his magnanimity in conceding victory promply after the last polls. "That act made Nigerians worldwide proud, " President Buhari said. He also the social and traditional media while enjoining them to be patriotic while discharging their duties. Instructively, patriotism featured prominently in the infamous Decree 4 used to arrest journalists during his military rule before he turned to a born-again democrat.
In the speech also, he promised to work with allies to attain regional, continental and global aims especially, in freeing the abducted Chibok girls and stamping out Boko Haram from the country. He also promised to do his best to improve the country's infrastructure, reduce unemployment, improve power supply, health, education, environment especially in adherence to climate change global best practices.
Though the speech was not flowery, the two most profound quotes in the speech was "I will not prosecute anyone. The past is past". This statement is of immense relief to the powerful business and political elite which has held Nigeria to ransom through various shady deals. This grhitherto opposed his emergence and thrown its weight behind Jonathan for fear of reprisals in a Buhari government.
"I belong to everyone. I belong to no one," his second quote, is very declarative. Buhari is known, infact notorious, for being his own person who is very independent and not susceptible to anyone's control or influence. During his presidential campaign, he ran a bid that was basically broke because he refused to receive huge donations from wealthy groups and individuals including two billionaires who walked up to him and offered him a billion naira each. He stoutly declined because he said he does not want to be beholden to anyone. Naturally, such donors would want a level of patronage in return which he would likely be strongly disinclined towards. After the campaign, reports are rife that Buhari totally shunned all efforts by powerbrokers within the All Progressives' Congress (APC) to submit names of government appointees to him. He declined efforts by a governor to do so with him on the premise that since he does not appoint his state commissioners for him, the governor cannot decide who his ministers too should be. This led to recent media reports that APC would discontinue the common practice of allowing governors to submit ministerial nominees to the president. Recently, he reportedly flew to London without informing members of the party's leadership apparently in a bid to stave off pressure in a further symptom of his desire for individuality. The party was not apprised of Buhari's meeting with Prime Minister David Cameron of Britain during the visit until afterwards. It is even unsure if Buhari divulged the entire details of the meeting held only between him and the PM. A source close to No. 10 Downing Street told Mega Mode Media exclusively that the meeting was held to secure Cameron's support for his administration particularly in terms of his personal security. It is yet unclear if this is indicative of Buhari's awareness that he will soon lose support from his present circle of influence due to his recent isolationism from the party. In any case, the second quote, spoken forcefully and with a definitive pause during the inaugural address, strongly reveals the frontline principle with which he would run his government regardless of incurring anyone's displeasure.
Subsequently, there was a colourful parade attended to by the new president.
As the event wounded down, President Buhari entered the glass enclosure comprising foreign dignitaries and heads of governments for interactions. This groups consists if heads if states from Saudi Arabia, South Africa, other ECOWAS and AU states including the foreign diplomatic corps.
From the Eagle Square, the inaugural ceremony train moves to Aso Villa where an inaugural dinner cum state banquet will be held later tonight.
Tomorrow, the CHANGE administration begins fully...
