The Eagle Square in Nigeria’s capital city of Abuja will host the inauguration of former Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu as Nigeria’s President for the next four years.
Last-minute preparations are already being completed for President Muhammadu Buhari’s historic handover to his party’s candidate who won the February 25 presidential election, which is beautifully decorated in the nation’s green-white-green colours.
There is already considerable security at the venue for the historic and remarkable ceremony in which Tinubu, 71, will be sworn in as Nigeria’s next leader following Buhari’s eight-year presidency
Scores of operatives of the joint security team comprising the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army and other paramilitary agencies were seen at the venue on Sunday evening. Fully armed, law enforcement agents were seen with different breeds of sniffer dogs in preparation for the main moment.
Scores of patrol vans have also been strategically positioned in and around Eagle Square with aerial and ground surveillance being discreetly carried out by security agencies.
‘100% Ready’
Speaking with Channels Television inside the Eagle Square on Sunday, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha expressed confidence for a “seamless transition” on Monday.
The Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, who inspected the readiness of his men at the venue said “We are prepared 100%” and will improve on preparation for crowd control.
Tinubu, the President-Elect and candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the keenly contested February poll will be inaugurated alongside the Vice-President-Elect, Kashim Shettima.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola is expected to administer the oath of office on Tinubu and Shettima in the presence of Buhari and his outgoing deputy, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.
Days earlier, Buhari showed Tinubu around the Aso Villa, Nigeria’s presidential residence while Osinbajo took Shettima on a tour of the Vice President wing of the Villa also known as the Aso Rock.
Also, Tinubu had on Thursday received transition documents from Buhari ahead of the May 29 inauguration just as Buhari conferred the national honours of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) and Grand Commander of the Order of Niger (GCON) on Tinubu and Shettima respectively.