In an unprecedented move, President Buhari, after his inauguration for second term, left the scene without giving an inaugural speech.Since Nigerian Independence, no democratically elected president has ever been inaugurated without an inaugural speech. Even Buhari himself, in 2015 gave an inaugural speech after being sworn in.
Besides this, the presidential inauguration had it’s own drama. The head of the Brigade of guards was piqued by the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Adams Oshiomhole, who came to sandwich himself among the Service Chiefs who lined up for the inaugural Oath of Office of President Buhari. After some time, he was evicted by the head of the Brigade of guards.
Oshiomhole was apparently trying to score a cheap political point. Recently, he has been under fire by his own deputy, who openly advised him to resign as he has ruined the party. This ensuing face-off has divided the APC National Working Committee, with Oshiomhole rumored to have threatened to puncture the under belly of the party if he is sacked.
Buhari has earlier arrived in a 2019 model of Mercedes Mayback allegedly estimated at N600 million, said to be both Bullet and Bomb proof. His predecessors have used their official cars for the duration of their tenure.
Meanwhile, Buhari leaves the country for Makkah, the venue for this year’s meeting of the Organization of Islamic Countries. Nigeria is currently a full member since Buhari became the president.
Meanwhile, beside the Diplomatic community, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan were conspicuously absent at the inauguration.