….’Don’t pity me, I asked for the job, I won’t give excuses’ —Tinubu
•Private sector demands blueprints on economy, fuel subsidy.
As the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, takes the oath of office as Nigeria’s 16th President today, Nigerians have demanded quick actions in the areas of the economy, security, fuel subsidy and other critical sectors.
Tinubu, who was declared the winner of the February 25 presidential election, will be sworn in by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola, at Eagle Square, Abuja.
A former Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima will be sworn-in as the new Vice President of Nigeria.
Though the victory of the ex-Lagos State governor is being challenged by Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, the Peoples Democratic Party and Labour Party standard bearers, respectively, at the Presidential Election Petition Court, he would nevertheless take over from the outgoing President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), in a glamorous ceremony which would be witnessed by over 300 guests.
The ceremony will also be broadcast live to millions of Nigerians at home and abroad.
Today’s historic ceremony will be remembered as it marks the first time a well-known “Political Kingmaker” in Nigeria takes over the Throne itself.
In preparation for the inauguration, the authorities have tightened security in the Federal Capital Territory with the deployments of soldiers, policemen, undercover operatives and counter-terrorism units at strategic locations and public facilities, including hotels where invited guests were accommodated.
Also, the military and the police have been conducting aerial surveillance of the FCT with helicopters flying overhead.
Ahead of the transition of power to the president-elect, scores of representatives of foreign governments, diplomats and heads of international organisations began arriving in Abuja, on Sunday.
Against the backdrop of the challenges facing the country, economic players, including the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, Nigerian Economic Summit Group and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria admonished the former Lagos State governor to tackle inflation, stabilise the exchange rate and ensure the removal of fuel subsidy within his first 100 days in office.
Speaking with The PUNCH in Lagos on Sunday, the Director General of NECA, Mr Wale Oyerinde, said his group expected Tinubu to put together his economic team within the first 100 days
DON’T PITY ME, TINUBU TELLS NIGERIANS
The President-elect, Bola Tinubu, on Sunday night, asked Nigerians not to pity him over the enormous task of nation building before him.
While alluding to challenges bedevelling the country, Tinubu said he was well aware of the task he set out for and do not expect pity from Nigerians.
Tinubu, a former Lagos State governor, stated this during inauguration dinner and gala night.
He rather asked Nigerians to him accountable on his promises, adding that he campaigned to be elected because of the challenges bedevelling the country.
“We have corruption, insecurity and many problems confronting us… but don’t pity me. I asked for the job. I campaigned for it. No excuses.
“I will live up to expectation, I promise you,” Tinubu said.
Credit: The Punch
