By Emmanuel Babafemi
Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has been sworn in as the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in a ceremony attended by his predecessor, immediate past President Muhamadu Buhari and his Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, under tight security at Eagle Square in Abuja, on Monday, May 29, 2023.
Senator Kashim Shettima, also took his oath of office as the Vice President, as conducted for both new leaders by Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kayode Ariwoola.
Tinubu mounted the podium in the company of his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and was joined by the former President and his wife, Aisha Buhari, who stood behind him as he took the oath of office administered by Justice Ariwoola at exactly 10:37 a.m, followed by Shettima, who took the oath as Vice President at exactly 10:28 a.m.
His emergence as the new President of Africa’s largest democracy makes it the seventh time of a successful handover of government in Nigeria since 1999.
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Recalled Tinubu, 71, won February’s election with a promise to renew hope, but he faces tough economic and security challenges, succeeding a two-term President, Buhari amid a high inflation rate, record debt levels and increasing cases of kidnap-for-ransom.
Still, Tinubu’s victory is being challenged in court by his two closest rivals, who said the outcome was manipulated, but the process which Buhari has described “credible” saying the election was “fair and transparent.”
Dignitaries from across the continent attended the swearing-in ceremony in the capital, Abuja, reflecting the significance of the event.
