President Muhammadu Buhari has set a new record by being the first democratically elected leader in the history of Nigeria not to deliver an inaugural speech.
The President and his deputy, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, both took the oath of office between 10 and 11am on Wednesday, May 29, 2019.
The norm since the inauguration of the late Prime Minister, Sir. Abubakar Tafawa-Balewa, has been for democratically elected leaders to address Nigerians and inform the nation of their plans and offer words of assurances to the people
Tafawa-Balewa delivered the first of such speeches on October 1, 1960 after the union jack had been lowered.
In the speech, he praised the resilience of Nigerians during the over 60 years of colonialism and also thanked foreign countries for supporting the nation in its drive for independence.
Nigeria’s second democratically elected leader, Shehu Shagari, also delivered inaugural speeches on October 1, 1979 and October 1, 1983 upon his re-electionIn the first speech, Shagari called on all politicians, regardless of party affiliation, to unite to make Nigeria one and to also ensure that military rule never returned.
In his second inaugural speech in 1983, Shagari said the past four years had brought Nigeria peace and stability. The task for the new administration, he said, ”will no more involve the erection of a system but rather to ensure efficient working of that system
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