Why Patience Jonathan Failed To Attend Buhari’s Inauguration

The absence of Patience Jonathan from the inauguration ceremony of President Muhammadu Buhari has raised different questions among Nigerians.  Mrs Jonathan, unlike other wives of Nigerian leaders was conspicuously absent from the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Many have said that Mrs Jonathan who was last seen with her husband at the inauguration dinner which heldThursday night had through her body language showed her displeasure over her husband’s outster by the current President as she never looked at the direction of President Buhari who shared the same high-table with her throughout the dinner.

However, DAILY POST has gathered that it took the intervention of friends and family for the ousted First Lady to have agreed to follow her husband to the dinner. Her reason, according to a presidency source was that she may not be able to control her emotion as it’s painful giving up power just after one term in office.

The source further disclosed that Mrs Jonathan broke down in tears after the dinner last night and that could have been responsible for her absence from Friday’s inauguration as Mr. Jonathan may not want a repeat of the Thursday-dinner episode.

Another presidency source has however debunked the rumour that the former First Lady could not attend the inauguration because she was emotionally down. The source who pleaded not to be mentioned said ” Mama Peace has an important event to attend in Otuoke, their country home. You don’t expect her to attend the inauguration when people are waiting for her arrival back home. She is not aggrieved over anything and she is not the only First lady who could not attend the inauguration. Her attendance is highly insignificant. I don’t know why you, press people are trying to make something out of that.”

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Suit Against Buhari’s Inauguration Fails

The suit seeking to stop the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed from swearing-in the President-elect, General Mohammadu Buhari yesterday suffered a set back as the plaintiff in the matter failed to show up in court.

The plaintiff in the matter, a civil society organization, the Incorporated Trustees of Advocacy for Societal Rights Advancement and Development Initiative had approached a Federal High Court in Abuja to grant its reliefs. But when the case came up yesterday, their lawyer, Mr Philip Ekpo, was absent in court.

Also yesterday, an appeal was filed to stop the inauguration of the governor elect of Cross Rivers State, Professor Ben Ayade.
In the suit filed at the Supreme Court of Nigeria, through Mr Okey Uzoho, the appellants, Dr. Michael Ogar, who contested the gubernatorial election in 2011 under the platform of the Action Congress of Nigerian now All Progressive Congress (APC) and 34 other political parties are asking the apex court to stop or suspend any swearing-in of the governor-elect until the determination of the case.

According to them, there is no vacancy in the government house of Cross Rivers State until after February 25, 2016.

He further argued that the governorship election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on April 11, 2015 in the state is null and void and in violation of Section 180(2) of the 1999 Constitution.

The election that brought the incumbent governor of the state, Governor Liyel Imoke, into office was nullified by the Supreme Court in January 2012 and a fresh election was ordered.

After the Supreme Court judgement, a fresh election was conducted on February 25, 2015, which saw INEC also declaring Imoke as the winner.

Following his victory in the 2012 election, he was sworn into office on March 1, 2012.

In the appeal, the appellants are contending that having taken another oath of office in 2012, his tenure in office should subsists until after February 25, 2016.

The appellants asked the court to make the following order, “An order setting aside and nullifying any certificate of return issued by the 1st respondent (INEC) to any person or persons on account of the purported gubernatorial election conducted on 11-04-2015 in Cross Rivers State of Nigeria.

“An order halting, stopping. Or suspending any swearing-in of any person on 29th May, 2015, or any other date, into the offices of Governor and Deputy Governor of Cross Rivers State of Nigeria on account of the gubernatorial election conducted on 11-04-2015 in the state pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice and substantive appeal”.

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We Will Rescue Africa From Destitution, Poverty And Ignorance, says Tinubu

President of the Federal Republic of Guinea, President Alpha Condé yesterday arrived Nigeria ahead of President Muhammadu Buhari’s inauguration in Abuja on Friday, May 29.

President Condé arrived at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos aboard a private aircraft about 12:30pm and was received by the National Leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Lagos State Governor elect Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and other dignitaries who all left in a convoy to Eko Hotel and Suites for a meeting.

Speaking to newsmen at Eko Hotel and Suites after the meeting, President Condé said that he was impressed with the way the 2015 general elections were conducted in Nigeria stressing that it was a victory for Africa.

The President who is on a 5-day working visit to Nigeria said”Before the elections in Nigeria, there was anxiety, fear and uncertainty in the land. It was the belief that the country will disintegrate. This is also drawn from the fact that Nigeria has fought the Biafra war in time past”

“So far, the election in Nigeria is a victory for Africa and Nigeria being the biggest black African country. We are here to thank the people of Nigeria for the outcome of the elections. We must also thank the leadership of the parties for their conduct during the elections” he added.

President Condé also congratulated President Goodluck Jonathan for accepting defeat just like Presdent Abdou Diouf of Senegal.

“We also congratulate President Jonathan for accepting defeat just like President Abdou Diouf of Senegal when he lost the elections”

“With the election of President Buhari, who is a straight forward person, one who fight against corruption and dictatorship. I believe this new dispensation will culminate into a good relationship between Guinea and Nigeria. Like in the past, the relationship will offer opportunities to Nigeria businessmen and those in Guinea” President Condé said.

While expressing his gratitude to President Condé, National Leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu said that he felt honoured for the President to come and celebrate with Nigerians in sharing the norms and values of democracy that is enshrined in the country.

Chief Tinubu said that democracy is about freedom and opportunity adding that President Condé is a Pan Africanist who is committed to African development and democratic values and norms.

He however decried that it was lack of good leadership and political stability that have hindered Nigeria and other African countries in the past stressing that now that Nigeria has a new leadership, African leaders should work together to share ideas and share vision and rescue Africa from destitution, poverty and ignorance.

According to him, “Without that commitment and the promise, he wouldn’t have been here, he can stay back at home and enjoy his home. For him to come, we appreciate that, for him to believe and share that believe with us that African renaissance must come with him in sharing of values with President Buhari and our own political party of which I am very proud of.”

“Africa must have its home grown strategy to build its own economy, we must form that synergy amongst African countries to develop itself, address open trade issue, address the conflict of fundamentalist, address the areas where you have problems, militantcy. What are the bottle necks, what are the problem areas. We have resolved in eliminating it in order for our today to be better and live for a great continent of Africa. Africa should not continue to be a giant with elephantiasis in the economy world, we can compete. Africans are all over the world competing professionally in every sphere of life, it is lack of good leadership, political stability that have hindered us in the past. Now we have that leader, we have those leaders and they are working together to share ideas and share vision. We will rescue Africa from destitution, poverty and ignorance and that is all that we are working hard for” Chief Tinubu stressed.

Also speaking, Lagos State Governor elect Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode said “This is a great time the President of Guinea is coming to Nigeria. He came for the inauguration and decided to visit Lagos first. We thank you for that and welcome you to Lagos State. This is the time for us to take advantage of the commercial capital of Nigeria and ensure also that we are able to have strong partnership with the French speaking countries in the West Coast. We are willing and ready to open Lagos for greater business. We assure the President and people of Guinea that the next four years will be greater trade and commerce between Lagos and Guinea. We are willing to open investment office in Lagos and also in the West Coast to make sure we take advantage of the commerce here”

Present at the meeting were former APC interim National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, Lagos State Governor elect Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode
Ambode and other dignitaries from the Federal Republic of Guinea,

Group Asks Court To Halt Buhari’s Inauguration

A group, Advocacy for Societal Rights Advancement and Development Initiative,   has instituted a fresh suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to stop the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, from swearing the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, on Friday.

The suit filed on Tuesday is also seeking an order nullifying the certificate of return issued to Buhari by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The plaintiff hinged the suit on the allegation that Buhari did not qualify to contest the presidential election on the grounds that he gave false information about his academic qualification to INEC. Between January and February 2015 there were about 10 cases instituted by various plaintiffs challenging Buhari’s eligibility to stand for the poll on the grounds of his academic qualification controversy. But after he won, the cases were withdrawn.

In the fresh suit filed by its lawyer, Mr. Philip Ekpo, the group alleged that Buhari did not meet the qualification enshrined in the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act to stand for the March 28, 2015 presidential election.

Buhari, INEC, the CJN are the 1st to the 3rd respondents in the suit respectively.

The plaintiff is seeking an order of interim injunction restraining the CJN “or any person acting in his capacity” from swearing in Buhari as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on May 29, 2015 or any other date thereof pending the determination of the motion on notice.

The plaintiff seeks among other orders, “A declaration that the 3rd defendant be stopped from swearing in the 1st defendant as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as the issue of perjury involving the 1st defendant has not been resolved.

“An order restraining the 3rd defendant or any person appointed for such purpose from swearing in the 1st defendant as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on May 29, 2015 or any future dates whatsoever for giving false information to the 2nd respondent on oath.

“An order annulling the Certificate of Return given to the 1st defendant by the 2nd defendant.”

The grounds canvassed by the plaintiff read, “The 1st respondent (Buhari) gave false information in the affidavit he presented to the 2nd respondent (INEC) and on the strength of which he contested and purportedly won the presidential election which was conducted by the 2nd respondent on March 28, 2015.

“The 1st respondent deposed to an affidavit dated November 24, 2014 that his West African School Leaving Certificate is in the custody of the Secretary to the Military Board.

“The Nigerian Army on January 20, 2015, said that in the personal file of the 1st respondent with the Nigerian Army, they do not have the original copy of his West African School Leaving Certificate nor does the Nigerian Army have the Certified True Copy of his WASC results neither do they have a photocopy of the said result.

“The 1st respondent has not met the qualifications enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Act, Cap E6, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2010 (as amended) to have contested the position of President of Nigeria at the 2015 general elections.

“That the authority conferred by Section 140 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) on the 3rd respondent to administer oath of office to any person who will occupy the office of the President of Nigeria cannot be exercised in respect of the 1st respondent who has not fulfilled the requirements of the same constitution and the Electoral Act as it relates to his eligibility to occupy the office of President of Nigeria.”

The case has not been assigned to any judge.

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Why Buhari Went To The U.K Days Before Hand Over – Spokesman

President-elect Muhammadu Buhari on Friday, departed Nigeria for Britain via the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja, on a private visit.

According to a statement issued in Abuja on Friday by his campaign spokesperson, Malam Garba Shehu, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) will use the opportunity of the visit to take a much-deserved rest ahead of his inauguration on May 29th.

“He is expected back in the country a few days before the inauguration, refreshed and ready to hit the ground running once he is sworn into office”, he said

Over 50 Heads Of State To Attend Buhari’s Inauguration

More than 50 Heads of government are expected to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Muhammadu Buhari as the new President of Nigeria on May 29.

The Chairman of the Media and Publicity Sub- Committee of the Presidential Inauguration Planning Committee, Edem Duke, who disclosed this on Friday, said most of the expected Heads of government are from African and European countries.

He noted that invitation cards have been dispatched to all the 54 countries in the African continent.

Duke, who is also the Minister of Culture and Tourism, noted that many of the African leaders have signified their intentions to attend the event. The United States will send its Secretary of State, John Kerry to the ceremony.

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Activities Commence For Buhari’s Inauguration

Activities marking the inauguration of the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari commences today with Jumat prayers at the Abuja National Mosque, the Presidential Inauguration Planning Committee, PIPC, has announced.

According to a statement issued by the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, the processes leading to the transfer of power would end with an inauguration gala night on May 29, 2015.

Continuing, the statement said there would also be a church service and thanksgiving at the National Ecumenical Centre on May 24, while inauguration dinner would be held at the State House Conference Hall in Abuja on May 28, 2015.

The high point of the week long programme, however is the swearing in ceremony, coming up on May 29 at the Eagle Square in Abuja, with the inauguration luncheon following on the same date at the State House Banquet Hall.

The statement further said the car parks to be used by guests for the inauguration dinner are the Supreme Court Car Park and Federal Ministry of Justice Car Park.

According to the statement, car parks to be used by those attending the swearing in ceremony are Old Parade Ground Car park, Federal Ministry of Works Car Park, Federal Ministry of Lands Car Park and Abuja Geographic Information System Car Park. It also advised those coming for the inauguration dinner to use the Supreme Court Car Park and Eagle Square Car Park.

Dignitaries attending the Presidential Luncheon would however be conveyed directly from the swearing in venue to the State House. All events, aside the Jumat prayers and Church service, are strictly by invitation.

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Obama Names John Kerry As Head Of U.S. Delegation To Buhari’s Inauguration

President Barack Obama of the United States has named Secretary of State, John Kerry, to lead the American government delegation to the inauguration of Muhammadu Buhari as Nigeria’s president.

Mr. Buhari will be sworn into office on May 29, alongside his vice president-elect, Yemi Osinbajo.

“Today @POTUS announced that @JohnKerry will lead the U.S. Presidential Delegation to the inauguration of President-elect Buhari of #Nigeria,” the U.S. State Department tweeted late Monday.

There has been high international interest in Nigeria’s political transition and the planned transfer of power from the Jonathan-Sambo presidency to the Buhari-Osinbajo presidency.

The United States, which closely followed the elections in March, has particularly shown interest in the transition, with Mr. Obama considering sending Vice President Joe Biden to lead his presidential team to Nigeria on May 29.

Some senior members of the U.S. Congress, including the Chairman of the US House of Representatives Sub Committee on Africa, Chris Smith, are also said to be planning to attend the event.

The U.S. President normally announces a delegation to the presidential inaugurations of friendly nations to be led by the Ambassador in that country.

But in rare occasions, he picks very senior public officials as the head of delegation to underscore how the US highly regards the country or the circumstances at a given point in time.

From the U.S. government to the business sectors and think tanks, the level of excitement about the anticipated peaceful transfer of power in Nigeria and the outcome of the elections itself producing the Buhari-Osinbajo ticket from an opposition party, APC, has been widespread.

Some of the U.S. groups that have been showing keen interest to attend the inauguration and pressuring the U.S. government to send a very high-powered delegation are the Atlantic Council, and the Constituency for Africa-groups known to be very influential in Washington DC.

There were calls last week for Mr. Obama himself to personally attend the event.

On Tuesday, Mr. Obama’s National Security Adviser, Susan Rice, also tweeted that, “Inauguration will mark a historic transfer of power and underscore the Nigerian people’s commitment to democracy.”

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Firing Rehearsal Of 21 Gun Salute For Buhari’s Inauguration, Army Tells Public Not To Panic

The Guards Brigade of the Nigerian Army on Monday in Abuja alerted the public on firing of artillery guns for Presidential Inauguration and Swearing in Ceremony come May 29.

This information is contained in a statement issued by Major Charles Ekeocha, the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations in the Guards Brigade.

The statement quoted Ekeocha as saying “rehearsal for the Presidential Inauguration and Swearing in Ceremony has commenced since May 4 at the Eagle Square, Abuja.”

He said the rehearsal involved firing of the traditional 21 gun salute. He stated that “the practice session for the 21 gun salute will take place on May 20 and May 25, and on the inauguration day, May 29. “The public is hereby notified, especially those living within Asokoro area of Abuja and its environ not to panic at the sound of simulated firing of military weapons during the dates.”

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Obama To Send High-Powered Delegation To Buhari’s Inauguration

International interest in Nigeria’s political transition and the planned transfer of power from the Jonathan-Sambo presidency to the Buhari-Osinbajo presidency billed for May 29 has risen in the United States as President Barack Obama now considers sending a high-powered U.S. delegation to the event, officials said Wednesday.

U.S. government sources said Mr. Obama is considering who might lead the American representatives to the event.

Besides, at least two US Ivy universities-Harvard and Yale – have since held special review sessions where scholars were invited from around the U.S. and the world to give lectures and seminars on the outcome of the Nigerian elections, focusing on the emergence of a former military head of state, who is a Muslim from the North of Nigeria, and a Christian pastor, who is a law professor from the South as president-elect and vice president-elect respectively.

Three names are already being mentioned in official U.S. and diplomatic circles including Obama’s wife, the American First Lady, Michelle, Vice President Joe Biden and the Secretary of State, John Kerry, as the head of the presidential delegation. From the U.S. Congress also, some of the senior members are said to be planning to attend the event including the Chairman of the US House of Representatives Sub Committee on Africa, Congressman Chris Smith.

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