Buhari‘s inauguration still holds May 29, not June 12 —Presidency

The Presidency has said there is no truth in reports that the
Federal Government is considering shifting the inauguration of
President Muhammadu Buhari for second term from May 29 to June
12.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and
Publicity, Garba Shehu, made the clarification in an interview with
our correspondent on Sunday.

Media reports last week claimed Buhari would be inaugurated on
June 12, the day the government has declared as the country’s new
Democracy Day.

But Shehu told our correspondent that the President’s first term
would expire on May 29, 2019, having been inaugurated on May 29,
2015.

He said those who were behind the reports were only attempting
to cause confusion in the polity.

The presidential spokesman promised that the Presidency would
soon issue a statement on the matter.

He said, “There is no truth in that report. As a matter of fact,
we will soon issue a statement on it to clear the air.

“The President was inaugurated for his first term in office on
May 29, 2015. He ceases to be President on May 29, 2019, if he is
not inaugurated for his second term on that day.

“For the avoidance of doubt, there is no plan to shift the
President’s inauguration to June 12. The inauguration will hold on
May 29. Those claiming that the inauguration will be shifted to
June 12 are only trying to cause confusion in the polity. It is not
true.”

Buhari had last year changed the nation’s Democracy Day from May
29 to June 12 of every year.

A bill he sent to the National Assembly to amend the the
nation’s Public Holidays Act had since been passed into law.

The declaration was part of the decision taken to honour the
winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, the
late Chief M.K.O. Abiola.

The President had also at the time honoured Abiola with the
highest national honour of the Grand Commander of the Federal
Republic, posthumously.

He also honoured Abiola’s running mate in the election, Babagana
Kingibe, with the second highest national honour, Grand Commander
of the Order of Niger.

Subscribe ToNairalaw News!