President Buhari takes oath of office, silent on next level for Nigeria

…It is an opportunity missed – Prof. Akin Oyebode

President Muhammadu Buhari was sworn into office today, at the Eagle Square, Abuja, to lead the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for the next four years.

The ceremony was performed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad.

However, the swearing in ceremony ended at about 11.22 am without the President making the usual inauguration speech to the nation.

Notwithstanding that the Federal Government had announced that the inauguration would be low-key with most of the events to be held on June 12, the now declared Democracy Day, some policy analysts described the President’s silence as a missed opportunity to speak to a beleaguered nation.

“It is an opportunity missed when the focus of the nation was on the new tenure of the president,” Akin Oyebode, a Professor of International Law and Jurisprudence at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) said, while appearing on Channels TV’s inauguration day broadcast.

“At least, some soothing balm ought to have been administered on Nigerians to give them some impression of hope and optimism. What will he have lost by making, however brief, a statement on what Nigerians can expect in the next four years?” Prof. Oyebode wondered.

In the same vein, Dr. Amos Akingba, a chieftain of NADECO, argued that the ceremonial event on June 12 is entirely different from the inauguration day.

“I’m not even sure that there will be a speech on June 12. You’re taking an oath of office to serve the people you tell them what you want to do. June 12 is a celebration of a missed opportunity that’s a different thing.

“June 12 is different from the time you take the oath of office, when you should promise the people, tell the people, inform the people what you want to do. You don’t have to wait till June 12. June 12 is just a recent approval. Today is the day you took an oath of office, you’re inaugurated. Let us know what your agenda will be,” Dr. Akingba reasoned. (RS with THE GUARDIAN report)