The federal government has declared Wednesday, May 29, as a public holiday to mark the 2019 presidential inauguration.
This was issued in a statement by the permanent secretary at the interior ministry, Georgina Ehuriah.
Ms Ehuriah revealed that the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau, who made the declaration on behalf of the federal government, congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari for his re-election. He also congratulated Nigerians for the successful conduct of the 2019 elections.
“He expressed confidence that with the collaboration of all Nigerians, the Nation would be transformed in the next four years to a country that would be the envy of other Nations.”
Despite the presidential inauguration holding on May 29, a more elaborate event has been scheduled for June 12 which has now been designated as Nigeria’s Democracy Day.
Speaking during an interview on Channels TV, presidential aide Shehu Garba explained that May 29th remains the inaugural day but all ceremonies associated with the inauguration have been deferred to June 12.
“We want the world to see June 12 as this country’s most important (day) as far as democracy is concerned,” he said.
He added:
“Let me say emphatically, it is important that the President and the governors are being inaugurated on the 29th. Constitutionally, that must take place because their four-year term (2015-2019), expires on the 29th.
However, the President will be swearing an oath, taking the oath of office as would the governors be doing, but the big ceremonies associated with the inauguration have been deferred to June 12, in order that we empower, we activate this day in a big way”.
