Presidential Inauguration: IBB, Shonekan, Obasanjo, Jonathan Absent

President Muhammadu Buhari and his Wife while taking Oath of office. -Bayo Obisesan

Two former democratically elected Nigerian presidents, former military President and former Interim Head of State, were on Wednesday conspicuously absent at the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term in office.

The duo of former democratically elected Presidents, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Dr. Goodluck Jonathan; former military President, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida as well the Nigeria’s Former Head of Interim government, Chief Ernest Shonekan were absent.

The event took place at the Eagles Square, Central Business District of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Gen. Yakubu Gowon, a former military Head of State was however, present.

Gen. Yakubu Gowon at the inauguration

Buhari was sworn-in at the Eagle Square, Abuja after which, he moved round the venue in an open motorcade to acknowledge cheers, and then left without reading any inaugural speech.

The inaugural speech was earlier said by Cyril Stober of Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) to have been “expunged” from the programme prior to his arrival at the venue of the event.

The government had earlier hinted that inauguration on Wednesday would be low-key as it intends to perform full-fledged inauguration ceremonies on June 12, a date the Federal Government recently accorded the actual democracy day for Nigeria.

On June 12, 1993, Nigeria had the most freest and credible election widely accepted which was won by the Late Moshood Kasimowo Abiola, who was not allowed to be sworn in as the then military junta led by Gen. Babangida annulled the election.