SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 30, 2015 — 5
Buhari, Osinbajo inauguration: How it happened By Levinus Nwabughiogu & Joseph Erunke, Abuja
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RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari opened a new chapter in Nigeria’s history yesterday at his inauguration as the first president to take office from an incumbent with another political party vowing that the democratic credentials laid by his predecessor would be built upon. At the inauguration witnessed by world leaders and all living former Nigerian leaders, Buhari affirmed his ascension to office put him at the service of all Nigerians pledging he would not be beholden to any private interest. “I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody,” President Buhari said even as he put earlier pledges to deal decisively with the Boko Haram insurgency with the order to relocate the command and control centre fighting the insurgency to Maiduguri. Former President Goodluck Jonathan was graceful in his exit yesterday. After handing over the instruments of office to his successor, the former president who was without his wife, made a dignified exit in an unmarked vehicle for a reception in Yenogoa, Bayelsa State. The administration of the oath of office to the vicepresident, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and President Buhari by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmoud Mohammed was preceded by colourful military parade under the command of Lt. Col. Useni Braimah. The handover commenced in earnest yesterday upon the arrival of Dr. Jonathan at about 10.19 a.m. He had been preceded by his deputy, Arc. Nnamadi Sambo and then vice-president-elect, Prof. Osinbajo. Upon his arrival Christian and Islamic prayers were respectively offered by Rev (Dr) Israel Akanji, Chairman of the FCT Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, who represented CAN president, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, and the Deputy Chief Imam of Abuja Central Mosque, Dr Ibrahim Ahmad Bakare. Following that, Lt. Col. Braimah sought permission from President Jonathan to commence the parade and Dr. Jonathan performing his last duty in office, gave the order and the military parade commenced. Following the parade, Osinbajo with his wife, Dolapo mounted the dais to take the oath of office and oath of allegiance. He was followed by Buhari who also with his wife, Aisha proceeded to take the same oaths and that was followed by the transfer of a copy of the constitution from Jonathan to Buhari. Jonathan also transferred the instruments of office to his successor. From that point, Jonathan exited the stage following which the
military commander who had earlier sought permission from former President Jonathan to commence the parade now sought permission from President Buhari to end the parade. His ascension into office was marked with the release of pigeons into the air and a 21 gun salute. The new president then mounted an open roof Mercedez Benz G wagon with which he was driven round the Eagles Square as he acknowledged cheers from well wishers. Following that the president then gave his inaugural address at the beginning of which he paid encomiums to former President Jonathan who he said had laid a positive foundation for democracy even as he pledged to build upon it. In the address, he promised to be a president for all, to administer the country according to the constitution even as he pledged to deal with the challenges posed by corruption, insecurity. Highlights of President Buhari’s inaugural speech 1. The most immediate is Boko Haram’s insurgency. 2. 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. 3. We have an opportunity. Let us take it. 4. We must not succumb to hopelessness and defeatism. We can fix our problems. 5. Daunting as the task may be it is by no means insurmountable. 6. As far as the constitution allows me I will try to ensure that there is responsible and accountable governance at all levels of government in the country. 7.With depleted foreign reserves, falling oil prices, leakages and debts the Nigerian economy is in deep trouble and will require careful management 8.The command centre will be relocated to Maiduguri and remain until Boko Haram is completely subdued. 9. We cannot claim to have defeated Boko Haram without rescuing the Chibok girls and all other innocent persons held hostage by insurgents. 10. An eccentric and unorthodox preacher with a tiny following was given posthumous fame and following by his extra judicial murder at the hands of the police 11. We shall overhaul the rules of engagement to avoid human rights violations in operations
Roll call of dignitaries •Mr John KerryUnited States Secretary of State •Jacob Zuma-South African President; •Mrs Ellen Johnson
Serleaf—Liberian President; •Robert Mugabe— President of Zimbabwe; •John Mahama— President of Ghana; •Yayaha Djameh— President of Gambia; •Ibrahim Boubacar Keita —President of Mali; •Alpha Condé – President of Guinea; •Ouattara Alassane – President of Cote’d Ivoire; •Paul Biya—President of Cameroon; •Idriss Déby— President of Chad Former Nigerian presidents and Heads of State at the occasion •General Yakubu Gowon; •Alhaji Shehu Shagari; •General Ibrahim Babangida; •General Abdulsalam Abubakar; •Chief Ernest Shonekan; •Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; •David Mark —Senate President; •Ike Ekweremadu — Deputy Senate President; •Emeka Ihedioha — Acting Speaker, House of Representatives; •Anyim Pius Anyim — Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF; •Atiku Abubakar— Former Vice President; •Chief John Oyegun – APC National Chairman;
From left: President Muhammadu Buhari and his wife Hajia Aisha Buhari after taking oath of office at the Eagle Square, Abuja, yesterday. • A d a m s Oshiomhole—Edo State governor; •Asiwaju Bola Tinubu—former governor of Lagos State; •Chief Ogbonaya Onu; •Chibuike Ameachi— Immediate past governor of Rivers State; •Senator Osita Izunaso George Akume—APC Minority Leader in the Senate; •Senator Bukola Saraki; •Kayode Fayemi— former governor of Ekiti State; •Chief Emeka Anyaoku— former
Secretary General to the United Nations; •General T.Y. Danjuma— former Defence Minister •Alhaji Bamanga Tukur—for mer PDP chairman. TIMELINES *10:19 am: Jonathan arrives, car wheeled into the premise *Singing of the national anthem *Prayers said by Rev (Dr) Israel Akanji and Dr Ibrahim Ahmad Bakare. *Buhari, Osinbajo take oaths of office, allegiance * 9:48 am—Buhari, in company of his wife, Aisha, arrive * 10:08 am: Buhari exchanges pleasantries
with dignitaries *10:36: Osinbajo takes oath of office administered by CJN, Justice Mahmud *10:42 am: Jonathan arrives * 10:46 am: Jonathan formally hands over to Buhari *10: 50 am Buhari takes oath of office * 11:12 am: Jonathan bows out, leaves Eagles Square *The release of pigeon, balloons, and 21 gun salute *Buhari driven round Eagles Square, acknowledging cheers *Buhari delivers inaugural speech Read full text of Buhari’s inaugural speech on page 11
Jonathan arrives Bayelsa to a rousing welcome •Says ‘I thought you would boo me’ By Samuel Oyadongha, Yenagoa
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ENAGOA the Bayelsa State capital was yesterday locked down as the former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan returned home to a heroic welcome from Bayelsans who in their thousands converged at the Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre to receive him. Jonathan clad in black traditional Ijaw attire, accompanied by his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan who was decked in a flowing red frock and other retinue of aides arrived the Government House helipad at about 3pm and received by the Bayelsa state Governor, Seriake Dickson, his deputy, Rear Admiral John Gboribiogha Jonah (rtd) and other respected Bayelsa elders and chiefs. The Jonathans were later driven in a
motorcade accompanied by Governor Dickson and his wife Dr (Mrs) Rachel Dickson to the venue of a civic reception. There were thousands of supporters at about 3. 13 pm. Speaking at the occasion, Dr.Goodluck Jonathan said he was overwhelmed by the large turnout of Bayelsans to welcome him in spite of noticeable short comings of his administration in terms of attracting dividend to the state. Jonathan said he had thought he would be booed and cursed by the people for some decisions made and development not attracted to the state. The former President, who was accompanied to the state by some of his core loyalists including the Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi among other dignitaries,
said when he was about leaving Abuja for Bayelsa his home state, he had thought that because of some wrong decisions and perceived thinking by the people that they were not satisfied, and could boo him. He said, “Because you are exposed to the decision of high office and the thought that you may not have satisfied the people, sometimes you think they will curse you or boo you. But instead, the people have decided to celebrate me.” Jonathan who went down memory lane on how he was dragged into politics by some prominent Bayelsans, said sometimes he had thought that if he had stayed in Bayelsa, he would have done better as a Governor,”but I left to allow others grow politically.” He promised to
dedicate his life to peace building across the country and the nation. “Nigerian have given me so much and the only thing I can do with the rest of my life is to dedicate myself to peace building. We need peace and Development. Political crisis doesn’t bring development. I believe the new administration will work with everybody. I am happy the new President said he does not belong to any clique but for Nigerians.” Earlier in his welcome address, Governor Seriake Dickson, said though he was moved by emotion while waiting to receive the former President due to the fact that such duty would be the last to a President from Bayelsa, the people of the state were happy that the former President arrived the state safe.