Anxiety over Tinubu’s absence at inauguration lecture

There was anxiety on Saturday at the inauguration lecture held in Abuja following the conspicuous absence of President-elect Bola Tinubu at the event held in his honour.

Vice President-elect, Senator Kashim Shettima, who represented him at the event, did not say anything about his whereabouts, but only proceeded to read his speech.

Tinubu represented by Shettima says he’ll dedicate life serving Nigeria

In a statement issued by the Office of the President-elect and signed by Tunde Rahman, the incoming president, through the Vice President-elect, Shettima, promised to dedicate his entire being to serving the nation and Africa.

“Today, I stand before you, ready to dedicate my entire being to the service of our great nation and the African continent,” Tinubu declared.

He highlighted the indispensable role of democracy as the cornerstone for the nation’s progress and prosperity.

Tinubu noted that Nigeria was at the precipice of a new era, where the ideals of democracy would guide on path towards sustainable development.

The president-elect also called on Nigerians to stand together with his incoming administration to birth a better country, while also restating his commitment to the ideals of democracy as the best form of government.

He said, “Distinguished guests, democracy is more than a system of governance; it is the very lifeblood that empowers a nation to flourish and thrive. “We stand at the precipice of a new era, where the ideals of democracy will guide our path towards sustainable development,” he stated.

Tinubu, while embracing his African identity, further stated that he recognised the collective efforts of Nigerians and Africans in shaping their democratic political cultures and institutions, tailored to the unique conditions and challenges faced by their societies.

He said, “Democracy, my fellow countrymen, is not only a political system; it is a way of life. It embodies a distinctive code of thought and conduct, demanding the utmost integrity and self-improvement from leaders.”

According to the president-elect, while democracy guarantees freedom, its survival hinges on responsible and measured use of that freedom.

He added that democracy, as an ever-evolving concept, empowers the majority to express their will while safeguarding the fundamental interests of the minority.

“Our democracy is not an abstract ideal; it is a practical vessel that will propel our nation to new heights in every facet of our collective existence,” Tinubu added.

Drawing insights from Nigeria’s national experience, he acknowledged the merits of democracy even in its imperfect manifestations, stressing that it surpasses the most perfect dictatorship in terms of justice, humanity, and productivity.

Tinubu also mentioned the importance of fostering open forums for discussion and debate, where the best ideas and policies could enter the national discourse and capture the imagination of the people.

He pledged to utilise democratic institutions not only to safeguard political and civil rights, but also to drive comprehensive economic reforms that engender broad-based prosperity, create employment opportunities, and unlock the nation’s untapped potential.

We can overcome our differences, says Buhari

At the event, President Muhammadu Buhari declared that Nigerians could overcome their differences and forge a common cause for progress.

Buhari said, “We have learnt that democracy is not just a system of governance. It is a way of life.

“True democracy is when the voice of the people is heard. Our nation’s progress rests on inclusivity, unity and not leaving any citizen behind, and ensuring every citizen enjoys the dividends of good governance.

“We must heed the lessons of this lecture and translate them into action. We must fight against corruption in all its forms. We must remain united. Our diversity is our strength.

“We can overcome our differences and forge a common cause towards progress.”

Kenyatta urges Tinubu to unite Nigeria

In his address, the keynote speaker and former Kenyan President, Kenyatta appealed to Tinubu to unite the country.

Speaking on the theme: ‘Deepening Democracy for Integration and Development’, Kenyatta summed up the leadership crisis in Africa as negative ethnicism, religious intolerance, and economic greed.

Kenyatta noted that while elections may divide the people, leadership must bring them together.

He encouraged Tinubu to surround himself with voices that challenge his own and reach out to those who may feel aggrieved to build a stronger nation together.In closing his presentation, Kenyatta said, “The contest is now over and the hard work of building a prosperous and unified Nigeria now begins.

“I encourage you to surround yourself with the voices of those who will counterbalance the hardliners that feel entitled to a piece of your office, you will lose nothing and gain everything by reaching out across the political, ethnic, and religious lines.”

He added, “To those who may feel aggrieved by your victory in one way or another, please allow them to exhale and be part of your vision for a greater Nigeria.

“It is my hope and my prayer that the lessons from across the continent will give you the resolve to walk the difficult path of overcoming those three enemies.

“I started by mentioning the three enemies of nationhood: Negative ethnicity, religious discrimination, and corruption.

“As your fellow African, I look forward to a Nigeria that emerges from this transition, ready to flex and fight for its rightful place on the global stage with both hands at the ready.”

Also the President, African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, who spoke on the topic, “Strengthening the Nigerian Economy in the Tinubu Years,” urged the president-elect to drastically improve the economy and spark a new wave of prosperity.

He expressed the hope that Tinubu will heal and unite a fractious nation, rise above party lines and forge a compelling force to move the nation forward, with inclusiveness, fairness, equity, and justice.

He also urged him to drastically improve the economy by removing the inefficient fuel subsidies.

“Nigeria’s fuel subsidies benefit the rich, not the poor, fuelling their and government’s endless fleets of cars at the expense of the poor. Estimates show that the poorest 40 per cent of the population consume just three per cent of petrol. Fuel subsidies are killing the Nigerian economy, costing Nigeria $10 billion alone in 2022,” Adesina said.

He also called for reduction cost of doing business, which he noted is too high for any meaningful development to take place.

Adesina expressed hope that Tinubu will heal and unite a fractious nation.

Religion not Nigeria’s problem – Kukah

On his part, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, noted that religion is not the problem of Nigeria as erroneously projected by the media and the political elite who assumed that there is a conflict between politics and religion.
“In all countries, no business, no family, no organisation, has a future if you don’t figure how to manage diversity. Religion has been turned into a weapon and it is a weapon of choice for politics and politician. I am a Nigerian and I can work with anybody. We must get to that point in which we have enough trust in ourselves,” Kukah said.

Farewell Speech: Buhari apologises to Nigerians for pain, suffering of his policies

President Muhammadu Buhari has apologised to Nigerians for what he called “temporary pains and suffering” of the actions taken by his government.

He said this in a in a farewell speech to the nation on Sunday morning.

Buhari said, “In the course of revamping the economy, we made some difficult choices, most of which yielded the desired results. Some of the measures led to temporary pain and suffering for which I sincerely apologised to my fellow countrymen, but the measures were taken for the over-all good of the country.”

He however maintained that he was leaving the country better than he met it.

Buhari said: “The Nigerian economy has become more resilient due to the various strategies put in place to ensure that our economy remained afloat during cases of global economic downturns.

“You would all recall the supply chain disruptions and economic downturn that the world witnessed between 2020 and 2022 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The deftness of our response to the pandemic still remains a global best practice.

“Furthermore, we increased the ability of the poor and rural Nigerians to earn a living, provided more food for millions in our villages and gave our women opportunities to earn a living.

“Young men and women in urban centres were also supported to put their skills into productive use. Our administration also provided an enabling environment for the private sector to engage in businesses for which their return on investments is guaranteed.”

Apprehension as Tinubu makes first appointments on Monday

Expectations are high as President-elect Bola Tinubu is billed to make his first appointments after he is sworn in as President tomorrow.

Who makes the list and how strong is the team are some of the questions on the lip of people concerned about the enormity of the task ahead. The economy is in a shambles; lecturers, health workers and the entire labour group are anxiously waiting for a better deal. No time to waste.

There are at least three appointments that ordinarily should be made by the new President to keep the wheel of government moving pending when other appointments that must have the seal of the National Assembly will follow.

The three appointments are the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief of Staff and presidential spokesperson.

There has been a jostle for appointments, including ministerial, under the Tinubu administration since the president-elect emerged after the February 25 presidential election.

Names have been mentioned as those being considered by Tinubu including those of very close associates but Sunday Vanguard was made to understand by sources close to the president-elect at the weekend that nothing was certain on appointments under the incoming administration including those that announced must, as a matter of tradition and necessity, be made tomorrow or Tuesday.

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The president-elect, it was learnt from multiple sources close to him, yesterday, has kept allies and close associates, among others, guessing over those that will form his cabinet.

Sunday Vanguard was reliably informed that Tinubu has refused to disclose the list of potential appointees at any level be it personal aides, Presidential Villa officials and ministers.

This, it was understood, is a source of intense anxiety among those lobbying to be appointed to the next government.

Meanwhile, there were insinuations that the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila; Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola; Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State and Mr James Faleke, a federal lawmaker from Lagos, are likely to play some roles in the Tinubu cabinet.

It has been reported that el-Rufai alongside two other outgoing governors – Aminu Masari of Katsina State and Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State – are in the race for the SGF office.

Former Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State is also, according to reports, in the jostle for ministerial appointment. He is said to be highly favoured for the External Affairs portfolio.

Traditionally, top members of the ruling party who lost governorship election in their states are usually compensated with ministerial appointments and this may also play out in the unfolding Tinubu government.

Multiple sources, however, said Gbajabimila was facing huge opposition to the possibility of emerging as Chief of Staff to the President.

There has been no word on who will emerge as a presidential spokesperson but there are high-profile professionals around the president-elect who fit the bill.

Some of them served in the Tinubu Presidential Campaign and they include Mr Bayo Onanuga and Mr Dele Alake.

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Tinubu keeping list secret

A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that all the names being peddled for appointments in the Tinubu administration remained in the realm of speculation.

The source said: “President Tinubu is likely to make his first appointments on Monday or Tuesday because he wants to hit the ground running.

“But all the conjectures about who is in and who is out in the cabinet and other appointments are in the realm of speculations.

”Everyone has continued to speculate but from what I know, the list is with the president-elect. “He is keeping it close to his chest. All those who go to him, he promises them but he won’t say anything.

“You know that Tinubu is also a politician but no one knows those on the list. Even the speculation about Femi Gbajabiamila being considered as Chief of Staff is dicey and not something anyone can confirm and, as you know, Gbajabiamila is going with him all over the place. I’m not sure if Gbajabiamila will get the Chief of Staff slot.

“We have also heard the names of Mr Babatunde Fashola who is speculated as being considered as the Attorney-General of the Federation as well as Mr James Faleke and Mallam Nasir El-Rufai who may be among those to be appointed”.

In Ondo, for instance, four persons are said to be in strong contention for the ministerial slot for the state. They are Chief Olusola Oke, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Hon Tajudeen Adeyemi Adetisoye and Prince Ademola Adegoroye.

Whereas Oke is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Aiyedatiwa a former Deputy Governor and Adegoroye a member of the outgoing federal cabinet, Adefisoye, fondly called Small Alhaji, is the outgoing member of the House of Representatives (Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency).

Apprehension as Tinubu makes first appointments on Monday

Vanguard with some additional reports