Tinubu and Shettima
The Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, is set to confer the highest National Honours on the country’s “President-elect”, Bola Tinubu, and his vice, Kashim Shettima on 25th of May, 2023.
This is amidst the ongoing petitions against the declaration of Tinubu as the winner of the February 25 presidential election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The Peoples Democratic Party and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and the Labour Party’s contender, Peter Obi, are among the key petitioners at the ongoing presidential election tribunal.
The Honour, which was the Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR) and Grand Commander of the Order of Niger (GCON) will be conferred on both Tinubu and Shettima four days to their inauguration.
This was made known at a Press Conference held at The Rotunda Hall , Ministry of Foreign Affairs, CBD, Abuja yesterday by the Secretary to the Government Of The Federation And Chairman, Presidential Transition Council, Boss Mustapha.
The press conference also kicked off the Presidential Transition Program which began yesterday.
Below are other programs lined up for the Presidential inauguration 2023 as presented by the Presidential Transition Council on Thursday, 18th May, 2023”.
Tuesday 23rd May, 2023-
Regimental Dinner in honor of the Commander in Chief
Armed Forces Officers Mess @ 7:00pm
Wednesday, 24th May, 2023-
Valedictory Federal Executive Council Meeting
Council Chambers, Presidential Villa
Thursday, 25th May, 2023-
Investiture of the President-Elect and Vice-President-Elect with the National Honors of Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR) and Grand Commander of Order of the Niger (GCON) respectively and Handover of Transition Documents
State House Conference Centre @ 10:00am
(Guests to be seated by 9:00am)
Friday 26th May, 2023-
Public Lecture and Jumaat Prayer
National Mosque @ 10:00am & 1:30 pm
Saturday 27th May, 2023-
Inauguration Lecture on the topic: Deepening Democracy for Integration and Development by His Excellency, Uhuru M. Kenyatta, former President of Kenya
International Conference Centre, @ 10:00am
(Guests to be seated by 9:00am)
Saturday 27th May, 2023-
Children’s Day Program
(i). Parade; and
(ii). Children’s Party
(i). Old Parade Ground @ 10:00am
(ii). State House Conference Centre
@ 2:00pm
Sunday, 28th May, 2023-
Inter-denominational Church Service
National Christian Centre @ 10:00am
(Congregation to be seated by 9:00am)
Sunday, 28th May, 2023-
Inauguration Dinner/Gala Night
State House Conference Centre @7:00PM
(Guests to be seated by 6:00 pm)
Monday, 29th May, 2023-
Inauguration Parade/Swearing-In
Eagle Square, CBD @ 10:00am.
All Guests to be seated by 8:30am
Monday, 29th May, 2023-
Post Inauguration Luncheon
State House Banquet Hall @ 1:30 pm (Strictly for Mr. President with brother Presidents, Heads of Government and his invited guests).
Meanwhile, Tolu Ogunlesi, Special Assistant to President Buhari on Digital and New Media, said Buhari would become the second elected President to bestow the GCFR on his successor, following former President Olusegun Obasanjo on May 27, 2007.
Ogunlesi also stated that during the investiture ceremony next week, there would be an official handover of transition documents to the incoming Administration, adding that this would be the most organised and seamless presidential transition in Nigerian history, made possible by President Buhari’s executive order 14.
