Williams Anuku
THE Federal Government has said that President Muhammadu Buhari’s inauguration for a second term on May 29, 2019, will be a low-key activity.
Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed said this on Monday, while addressing State House correspondents on preparations for the inauguration.
He hinged the decision on logistic constraints, noting that a number of the events have also been slated for the first observance of June 12 as the National Democracy Day.
Lai explained that the decision to have a low-key inauguration for the President was taken at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday, 8 May 2019.
He gave indications that invitations have been sent to world leaders to attend the ceremonies marking the observance of the Democracy Day on June 12.
“Since the first observance of June 12 as Democracy Day falls into an election year, and as a measure to sustain June 12 as Democracy Day, the celebration of the inauguration and the advancement of democracy in the country will now take place on June 12,” the minister stated.
He said the country can ill-afford two major celebrations within a two-week interval.
He said the details of the events slated for the two ceremonies will be unveiled at a world press conference slated for May 20th in Abuja.
Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari officially recognized June 12 as national democracy day in a colourful ceremony held at the banquet hall of the Presidential villa last year.