It appears there’s no going back on the May 29 inauguration of the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, inspite of calls by aggrieved opposition parties for the postponement of the exercise.
This is coming as a Director in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that over 65 world leaders, including Heads of State, have so far, been invited to grace the occasion.
Also to grace the occasion are former Presidents, Diplomats, Heads of International Organisations and prominent Nigerians and Representatives of Foreign Governments and Agencies in the country.
Tinubu will be sworn-in as the 16th President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria on May 29.
The activities of the seventh inauguration will commence on Thursday with the investiture of Tinubu with the Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and his Vice President-elect, Kashim Shettima, with the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger.
According to the Director, several African leaders had indicated interest to attend the ceremony scheduled to hold at the Eagle Square, Abuja.
“We have 54 countries in Africa and most of them have been invited to the inauguration; so, we don’t expect less than 65 world leaders from Africa, Europe and America at the event,’’ the director, who spoke on the condition of anonymity said.
Representatives of Nigeria’s traditional allies such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, China, Germany, Finland, Jamaica, Japan, Israel, Turkey and several others are also expected at the event.
Confirming the development, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, while addressing newsmen in Abuja, on Thursday, said scores of world leaders would attend the event.
The preparation for the swearing-in of the former Governor of Lagos State has continued to gather momentum even as opposition parties battle to nullify his election victory.
The Presidential candidates of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar and his Labour Party, LP’s counterpart, Peter Obi are challenging Tinubu’s election victory at the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal.
Tribunal had on Thursday, adjourned proceedings in Atiku’s petition till Friday (today), to continue further pre-hearing sessions as well as hear pending applications filed by the respondents.
It had also adjourned Obi’s petition till today, following the failure of the parties to harmonize their documents.