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First inauguration of Muhammadu Buhari

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The first inauguration of Muhammadu Buhari as the 15th president of Nigeria, and 4th president in the fourth Nigerian Republic took place on Friday, 29 May 2015, marking the start of the first four-year term of Muhammadu Buhari as president and Yemi Osinbajo as vice president. It was the 7th presidential inauguration in Nigeria, and 5th in the fourth republic.[1][2]

First presidential inauguration of
Muhammadu Buhari
Incoming and outgoing Nigerian Presidents
Date29 May 2015; 9 years ago (2015-05-29)
LocationEagle Square,
Abuja, F.C.T.
Organized byPresidential Transition Committee
ParticipantsMuhammadu Buhari
15th president of Nigeria
— Assuming office
Mahmud Mohammed
Chief Justice of Nigeria
— Administering oath
Yemi Osinbajo
14th vice president of Nigeria
— Assuming office
Mahmud Mohammed
Chief Justice of Nigeria
— Administering oath
← 2011
2019 →

The Federal Government declared 29 May a public holiday.[3] More than fifty representatives from foreign governments were expected to attend the inauguration. The government intended to spend less than ₦2 billion (US$10 million) for the ceremony.[4]

Background

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Buhari won the presidential election by more than 2.5 million votes.[5]

On 17 May 2015, Buhari's campaign spokesperson said that following the inauguration, the President "would simply be addressed as Muhammadu Buhari, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria." He would also not prefer to be addressed as "Mr., Alhaji or Mallam".[6] Buhari's official portrait was also unveiled on the same day.[7]

On 24 May 2015, the All Progressives Congress issued a statement saying that outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan was "handing over a nation in deep crisis" and that there was "no electricity, no fuel, workers are on strike, billions are owed to state and federal workers, $60 billion are owed in national debt and the economy is virtually grounded".[8]

On 26 May 2015, the National Union of Nigerian Students issued a statement saying that South African President Jacob Zuma was not welcome due to his "poor handling" of the recent xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals in his country. It also stated that there is "no point felicitating with a people who clearly do not matter much to you" and his visit will only amount to pretence.[9]

On 27 May 2015, Premium Times reported that the ruling People's Democratic Party had deliberately received the bulk of the 5,000 invitation cards as there were plans to allegedly boo the outgoing president. They also didn't want him to be embarrassed and instead give him a "cheerful exit".[10] Following appeal made by many to probe the outgoing administration, President Jonathan during a valedictory session of the Federal Executive Council, said that any future probe should be "extended beyond [his] administration. Otherwise.. it [would] be witch-hunt".[11]

Suleiman Hashimu walked 750 km from Lagos to Abuja, fulfilling his vow that he had made if General Buhari won the presidency. It took him 18 days to trek the route. He had taken with him ₦100,000 ($500) but only spent ₦3,500 as he was catered for by the people along the way.[12]

Pre-inaugural events

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Date Activity Venue
Friday, 22 May Jumu'ah (Friday) Prayers Abuja National Mosque
Sunday, 24 May Church Service and Thanksgiving National Church of Nigeria
Thursday, 28 May Inauguration Dinner State House Conference Hall

Inaugural events

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Swearing-in-Ceremony

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The official swearing-in ceremony took place at Eagle Square in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory from 0800 hours (UTC+1).[13] Chief Justice Mahmud Mohammed administered the oath of office taken by President elect Buhari. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was sworn in at 10:41 AM. President Muhammadu Buhari was sworn in at 10:51 AM after which he delivered his inaugural speech.

Inauguration speech (excerpt)

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Having just a few minutes ago sworn on the Holy Book, I intend to keep my oath and serve as President to all Nigerians. I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody. 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.

Furthermore, we as Nigerians must remind ourselves that we are heirs to great civilizations: Shehu Othman Dan Fodio’s caliphate, the Kanem–Bornu Empire, the Oyo Empire, the Benin Empire and King Jaja’s formidable domain. The blood of those great ancestors flow in our veins.

The most immediate [challenge] is Boko Haram’s insurgency. Progress has been made in recent weeks by our security forces but victory can not be achieved by basing the command and control Centre in Abuja. [It] will be relocated to Maiduguri and remain until Boko Haram is completely subdued. But we can not claim to have defeated Boko Haram without rescuing the Chibok girls and all other innocent persons held hostage by insurgents. This government will do all it can to rescue them alive. Boko Haram is a mindless, godless group who are as far away from Islam as one can think of.

It is a national shame that an economy of 180 million [people] generates only 4,000 MW, and distributes even less.

— Muhammadu Buhari[14]

Inauguration Luncheon

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A luncheon was held at the State House Banquet Hall at midday. President Buhari left the programme midway in order to attend the Friday weekly prayers.[15]

Inauguration Gala

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A gala was held in the evening.

Attendance

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Invitations were sent to 54 African countries and other nations.[1] Outgoing First Lady Patience Jonathan did not attend the ceremony.[16] Former Nigerian Heads of State who were in attendance included General Yakubu Gowon, President Shehu Shagari (ousted by Buhari), General Ibrahim Babangida (deposed Buhari), Interim President Ernest Shonekan, General Abdulsalami Abubakar and General Olusegun Obasanjo.[17]

Dignitaries

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President Jonathan with Buhari.
 
Security personnel hold hands to form human chain.
Country Title Dignitary
  Angola Vice President Manuel Vicente[18]
  Benin President Thomas Boni Yayi[19]
  Burkina Faso President Michel Kafando[20]
  Chad President Idriss Déby[21]
  Congo–Brazzaville President Denis Sassou Nguesso[22]
  Ethiopia Prime Minister Haile Mariam Desalegne[23]
  Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo[24]
  Gabon President Ali Bongo Ondimba[25]
  Gambia Vice President Isatou Njie-Saidy[26]
  Ghana President John Mahama[27]
  Guinea President Alpha Condé[28]
  Kenya Deputy President William Ruto[29]
  Liberia President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf[30]
  Mali President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta[31]
  Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi[32]
  Namibia President Hage Geingob[33]
  Niger President Mahamadou Issoufou[19]
  Rwanda President Paul Kagame[34]
  Sahrawi Republic Prime Minister Abdelkader Taleb Omar[35]
  São Tomé and Príncipe President Manuel Pinto da Costa[36]
  Senegal President Macky Sall[37]
  Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma[38]
  Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud[39]
  South Africa President Jacob Zuma[40]
  South Sudan Vice President James Wani Igga[citation needed]
  Swaziland King Mswati III[41]
  Tanzania Vice President Mohamed Gharib Bilal[42]
  Togo President Faure Gnassingbé[43]
  Zambia Vice President Inonge Wina[44]
  Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe[45]

Spouses of HOSG

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Country Title Dignitary
  Namibia First Lady Monica Geingob[33]
  Tanzania Second Lady Asha Bilal[42]

Government representatives

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Secretary Kerry waves Upon arriving at Eagle Square
 
Buhari with John Kerry.
Country Title Dignitary
  Algeria Speaker Mohamed Larbi Ould Khelifa[46]
  Botswana Foreign Minister Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi[47]
  Cameroon Vice Prime Minister Amadou Ali[48]
  China Agriculture Minister Han Changfu[49]
  Côte d'Ivoire Foreign Minister Charles Koffi Diby[50]
  Egypt Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry[51]
  France Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius[13]
  Namibia Foreign Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah[33]
  Qatar Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud[52]
  Russia Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov[53]
  Somalia Foreign Minister Abdi Salan Hdaliye[39]
  South Africa Foreign Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane[54]
  South Korea Special Envoy Lee Ju-young[55]
  United Kingdom Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond[56]
  United States Secretary of State John Kerry[57]
  Zimbabwe Foreign Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi[45]

International organisations

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Organisation Title Dignitary
African Union Chairperson of the AU Commission Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma[58]

Controversies

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Kenyatta
 
Mugabe

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta was scheduled to attend the ceremony but cancelled following outrage from Kenyans when details of his 84-member entourage was leaked.[59] The Kenyan Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary denied these reports and described the list as fake. Citizen News reported that the two-day trip would have cost at least KSh. 20,000,000/= (about US$200,000) in allowances and airfare.[60] Instead, Deputy President William Ruto accompanied by ten officials, represented the president.[61]

At the inauguration ceremony, Sahara Reporters' Adeola Fayehun asked Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe when he would be stepping down.[62] Fayehun asked him if there was democracy in Zimbabwe and that it was time for him to step down.[63] Mugabe's spokesperson George Charamba described the reporters as "activists with cameras" and that they "took advantage of protocol restrictions that were imposed on delegations."[64] Zimbabwe's Information Minister Jonathan Moyo tweeted that the reporters were "political activists masquerading as journalists who imagine their country as a model of democracy."[65] Moyo also stated that "free countries have rules including diplomatic courtesy not the display of Boko Haram journalism."[66]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Ayomide, Akinshilo (23 May 2015). "Buhari's Inauguration: Know The World Leaders To Attend". Naij. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
  2. ^ "Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari's Inauguration Address". Council on Foreign Relations. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  3. ^ "FG declares May 29 public holiday". Pulse. 26 May 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  4. ^ Oweh, Innocent (22 May 2015). "FG to Spend N2 Billion On Buhari's Inauguration, Over 50 Presidents Expected - Duke". Daily Independent. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
  5. ^ "Nigeria election: Muhammadu Buhari wins presidency". BBC News. 1 April 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  6. ^ "Buhari to Drop 'General' from His Name from May 29". This Day Live. 18 May 2015. Archived from the original on 28 May 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  7. ^ "APC media team unveils official portrait of Buhari and Osinbajo" (Press release). Lagos: All Progressives Congress. 17 May 2015. Archived from the original on 28 May 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  8. ^ "Pres. Jonathan handing over nation in deep crisis, but Nigerians should not lose hope" (Press release). All Progressives Congress. 24 May 2015. Archived from the original on 28 May 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  9. ^ Samson, Kukogho Iruesiri (26 May 2015). "South Africa's Jacob Zuma not welcome at Buhari's inauguration — NANS". Pulse. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  10. ^ "PDP corners nearly 4,000 of 5,000 invitation cards to inauguration ceremony". Premium Times. 27 May 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  11. ^ "Any probe should go beyond my administration, says Jonathan". The Guardian. Lagos. 28 May 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  12. ^ "Nigerian walks 750km to meet President Buhari". BBC News. 30 June 2015. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  13. ^ a b "Security tight for Nigerian presidential inauguration". AFP. 28 May 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  14. ^ "Full text of the inaugural speech of President Muhammadu Buhari". mbuhari.ng. 29 May 2015. Archived from the original on 19 June 2015. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  15. ^ "Buhari leaves guests, attends Jumat service". Punch. 30 May 2015. Archived from the original on 22 June 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  16. ^ Adoyi, Ali (29 May 2015). "Why Patience Jonathan failed to attend President Buhari's inauguration". Daily Post. Archived from the original on 31 July 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
  17. ^ "Dignitaries, World Leaders Witness Buhari's Inauguration". Channel News. 29 May 2015. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  18. ^ "Vice President en route to Nigeria". Angola Press News Agency. 28 May 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  19. ^ a b "Nigeria's new president pledges fight against Boko Haram". Associated Press. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
  20. ^ "Compte rendu du conseil des ministres". LeFaso.net. 28 May 2015. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  21. ^ "INVESTITURE DU PRESIDENT NIGERIAN MUHAMMADU BUHARI" (Press release). Présidence de la République du Tchad. 30 May 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
  22. ^ "Denis Sassou N'Guesso à l'investiture de Mohammadou Buhari". Alwihda Info. 28 May 2015. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  23. ^ "Hailemariam leaves for Nigeria". Ethiopian News Agency. 28 May 2015. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  24. ^ "Swearing in of offices before the President of the Republic" (Press release). guineaecuatorialpress.com. 30 May 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
  25. ^ "Gabon's President to attend Nigeria Presidential Inauguration ceremony". Gabon News. 28 May 2015. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  26. ^ "Zuma, Mugabe, Kerry, 26 world leaders grace inauguration". Daily Trust. 30 May 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
  27. ^ "President John Mahama arrives in Abuja" (Press release). The Presidency. 28 May 2015. Archived from the original on 31 May 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
  28. ^ "Buhari Will Rescue Africa From Destitution – Tinubu". Naij. 27 May 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  29. ^ William Ruto [@WilliamsRuto] (29 May 2015). "At Eagle Square, Abuja during the inauguration of Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari" (Tweet). Retrieved 30 May 2015 – via Twitter.
  30. ^ "President Sirleaf Attends New Nigerian President's Inauguration in Abuja" (Press release). Abuja: Executive Mansion. 29 May 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
  31. ^ @PresidenceMali (29 May 2015). "IBK s'envole cet après-midi pour #Abuja, #Nigéria, où il doit prendre part à la cérémonie d'investiture du Pdt élu @MBuhari" (Tweet) (in French). Retrieved 30 May 2015 – via Twitter.
  32. ^ "Mozambican leader in Nigeria for Presidential inauguration". StarAfrica. 28 May 2015. Archived from the original on 25 July 2015. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  33. ^ a b c "Namibia: Geingob to witness inauguration of Nigerian president-elect". StarAfrica. 27 May 2015. Archived from the original on 28 May 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  34. ^ "Kagame Joins World Leaders In Nigeria For Buhari Swearing-In". News of Rwanda. 29 May 2015. Archived from the original on 31 May 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
  35. ^ "PM represents President Mohamed Abdelaziz at inauguration of Nigerian president-elect" (Press release). Abuja: Sahara Press Service. 29 May 2015. Archived from the original on 31 May 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
  36. ^ "Manuel Pinto da Costa já regressou da Nigéria". Abola Africa. 30 May 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
  37. ^ "Macky Sall à la cérémonie de prestation de serment de Mohamed Bouhari, président du Nigéria, demain". Senego. 28 May 2015. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  38. ^ "Power Changes Hands in Nigeria Today". Awareness Times. 29 May 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
  39. ^ a b "Somalia President to attend inauguration of Nigeria President". Somali Current. 27 May 2015. Archived from the original on 28 May 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  40. ^ Mac, Maharaj (30 April 2015). "President Zuma talks to the President of Nigeria" (Press release). Pretoria: The Presidency. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  41. ^ "King flies to Nigeria in a chartered aircraft". Times of Swaziland. 29 May 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
  42. ^ a b "Makamu wa Rais ahudhuria kuapishwa Rais wa Nigeria". Michuzi Blog. 29 May 2015. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  43. ^ "'Moi, Muhammadu Buhari, jure solennellement …'". République Togolaise. 29 May 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
  44. ^ "Inonge to attend Buhari inauguration". Daily Mail, Zambia. 28 May 2015. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  45. ^ a b "President Mugabe leaves for Buhari inauguration". Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation. 28 May 2015. Archived from the original on 31 May 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
  46. ^ "investiture vendredi du président Muhammadu Buhari". Algerie Press Service. 27 May 2015. Archived from the original on 29 May 2015. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  47. ^ "Venson-Moitoi attends Buhari inauguration". Daily News. 28 May 2015. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  48. ^ "Investiture de Muhamadou Buhari : Amadou Ali représentera Paul Biya au Nigéria". CamerPost. 28 May 2015. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  49. ^ "President Xi Jinping's Special Envoy Han Changfu to Attend Inauguration Ceremony of Nigerian President" (Press release). Beijing: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China. 26 May 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  50. ^ "Nigéria Investiture de Buhari, Le Ministre Diby Koffi représente le Président". Abidjan.net. 30 May 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  51. ^ "FM flies to Nigeria to take part in presidential inauguration" (Press release). MENA. 29 May 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
  52. ^ "Dy PM attends inauguration of Nigerian leader". Gulf Times. 30 May 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
  53. ^ "Nigeria's Jonathan starts handover to president-elect Buhari". Yahoo News. 30 May 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
  54. ^ "President Zuma to attend Inauguration of the President-Elect of Nigeria" (Press release). Pretoria: The Presidency. 28 May 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
  55. ^ "Park to send envoy to Nigeria's presidential inauguration". Yonhap. 27 May 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  56. ^ Philip Hammond [@PHammondMP] (29 May 2015). "In Abuja representing the UK at the ceremony" (Tweet). Retrieved 30 May 2015 – via Twitter.
  57. ^ "Presidential Delegation to Inauguration of Nigerian President". U.S. Department of State. 18 May 2015. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
  58. ^ "AU Commission Chairperson to attend 50th AfDB Annual Meetings; Inauguration of new President in Nigeria after Africa Day celebrations" (PDF) (Press release). Addis Ababa: African Union. 26 May 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  59. ^ "President Uhuru Kenyatta cancels his trip to Nigeria over a list of 84". The Gazette Weekly. 28 May 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  60. ^ Murimi, Maureen (28 May 2015). "Uhuru Pulls Out of Nigeria Trip after Public Furor over Bloated Delegation". Citizen News. Archived from the original on 29 May 2015. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  61. ^ Mutambo, Aggrey (28 May 2015). "President cancels Nigeria trip after delegation scandal". Nation. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  62. ^ Freeman, Colin (3 June 2015). "How a Nigerian television reporter brought Robert Mugabe to account". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 4 June 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  63. ^ SaharaReporters Crew Encounter With Pres. Robert Mugabe In Nigeria. Abuja: Sahara Reporters. 31 May 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  64. ^ "Sahara TV Exposed". The Herald. Khartoum. 3 June 2015. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  65. ^ Jonathan Moyo [@ProfJNMoyo] (1 June 2015). "They are political activists." (Tweet). Retrieved 19 June 2015 – via Twitter.
  66. ^ Jonathan Moyo [@ProfJNMoyo] (1 June 2015). "Free countries have rules including diplomatic courtesy." (Tweet). Retrieved 19 June 2015 – via Twitter.
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