Ahead of May 29, the federal government has said adequate security and safety of all Nigerians as well as world leaders invited for the presidential inauguration have been put in place.
Government also said invitation would be sent to members of the opposition ready to attend the event.
Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed said this Monday during a world press conference in Abuja.
Speaking against the backdrop of the current security situation and the alarm raised by the military over alleged plot to truncate the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term, the minister said the federal government had set necessary machinery in motion to ensure a hitch-free event.
“On the question about the safety of world leaders, I assure you, Nigeria is safe. Their security and that of every Nigerian is guaranteed.
“We have no reason to doubt the alarm that has been raised by the security agencies. But, as I said, there’s absolutely no cause for alarm,” the minister further said.
The minister, however refused to divulge information on the strategy adopted by the government to ensure a hitch-free inauguration, asking: “Even if we are taking (security) measures, will I tell you here?”
When asked whether the 2019 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar and other leaders of the opposition would be invited for the event, the minister said, “I want to assure you that all those who want to be invited will be invited.”
The minister said the May 29 inauguration would be low-key as its celebration would be deferred to June 12.
“Mr. President last year declared June 12 as Democracy Day and a national holiday. He also said the official commencement of the new Democracy Day will be in 2019.
“It is in fulfillment of this declaration, therefore, that the Federal Executive Council decided, at its meeting on Wednesday, May 8th, 2019, to have a low-key presidential inauguration on May 29th, and then defer the celebration that comes with it to the June 12 Democracy Day.”
Giving further details of the inauguration, the minister said the world press conference held Monday was to herald the event, saying “the Federal Executive Council Valedictory Session will be held at the council chambers, State House, Abuja Wednesday, May 22.
He said this would be followed by “a special Juma’at lecture and prayer Friday, May 24th at the National Mosque; while the First Lady’s interaction with women is slated for the Old Chamber at the State House on Saturday May 25th.”
Similarly, the minister said a special interdenominational church service was also slated for Sunday, May 26 at the National Christian Centre, while Monday, the 27th of May, Mr. President will give a Children’s Day broadcast, to be followed later in the day by a children’s variety party.
The low-key event, he said, would be climaxed with the swearing in of the president and the vice-president Wednesday, May 29 at the Eagle Square and will be followed by a State Banquet at the State House in the evening of the same day.
