The inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo for a second term in office took place at the Eagle Square in Abuja on Wednesday amidst tight security.
Many dignitaries that attended the event called on Nigerians to support the President so that the country could make progress.
Buhari did not make any speech as he left the venue immediately after inspecting the guards of honour and acknowledging cheers from the crowd.
However, some opposition parties led by the Peoples Democratic Party faulted the President’s decision not to use the occasion to address Nigerians. They described it as disrespectful, adding that Buhari’s action was a confirmation that the President had nothing new to offer the country.
In attendance were the Senate President, Bukola Saraki; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole; National Leader of the party, Bola Tinubu; a former Senate President, Ken Nnamani; a former of Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed; a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, chieftains of the APC and some members of the immediate past cabinet of Buhari.
Prayers were offered for Nigeria, the President and other leaders of the nation by the Chief Imam of the National Mosque, Prof Shehu Ahmad, and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Supo Ayokunle.
The oath of office was administered by the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad, assisted by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Hadizatu Mustapha on Osinbajo between 10.25am and 10.34am.
Buhari was thereafter invited to the podium to take the oath of office and other duties he had to perform which took almost 40 minutes.
Speaking after the inauguration, Oshiomhole said Buhari was determined to leave behind landmark legacy by the time he completed his second term in office.
He said, “His real opponents are a section of the elite. He is determined to do everything possible to fight poverty, insecurity, reposition the economy and to ensure that he creates a society where those who work will have something to show for their labour.”
The Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Tertiary Education, Aminu Suleiman, said Buhari needed the support of the National Assembly members to succeed in his second term.
