As President Muhammadu Buhari was sworn in Wednesday, to continue till 2023, his failure to deliver an inaugural speech to millions of Nigerians who were in the waiting might have taken the shine off the presidential inauguration celebration.
Having criss crossed the 36 states of the country begging for votes in the last election, many were eager to hear what he will be doing with the victory he got at the polls. Nay! They were disappointed. That didn’t happen.
Nigerians will now have to wait till June 12 to hear from the President, having promised to roll out the drums in big celebration of Nigeria’s democracy.
It would be recalled that the democracy day often celebrated on May 29 since 1999 was moved to June 12 to recognize the significance of the day and the Nigeria’s enduring democratic struggle which dates back to the 1993 annulled presidential election won by late M.K.O Abiola.
But the lack of a word from President Buhari is a departure from the previous presidential inaugurations, both in Nigeria and around the world. It’s always a day when citizens are glued to their TV and radio sets ready to hear how a newly formed government will respond to their hope and aspirations; catching a signal on the direction at which the government’s leadership may likely pander towards in the new dispensation.
Meanwhile, some Nigerians had taken to the social media to express their disappointment over the lack of a word from the President, while a few others argued that the issue need not be belaboured since the President will be delivering a speech on June 12.
Here’s what they’re saying on Twitter:
First time in the history of #Nigeria, we have a president sworn in without a word to the citizens let alone a presidential speech.
June 12 is not our #InaugurationDay, once again #Buhari missed the opportunity to rekindle the hope we are gazing for.#Inauguration2019 #Nigeria
— AyeMojuba 💕 (@ayemojubar) May 29, 2019
BUHARI'S INAUGURATION: 3 ISSUES
1. No inauguration day speech? How do Nigerians benchmark the govt's focus areas in the new term?
2. No olive branch offered disaffected stakeholders? Isn't that customary?
3. No mention of policies, no message for investors#Inauguration2019 pic.twitter.com/AfTEEUZpqN
— RootsTv (@rootstvnigeria) May 29, 2019
Buhari has no inaugural speech on inauguration day.But why can't him tell us this beautiful lie again? pic.twitter.com/cvOGF5nZjI
— Wise Emir (@wenger1433) May 29, 2019
Seeing "Buhari didn't give a speech" all over the tl. Toh, same people would be the ones saying he's lying if he had spoken and made promises. I don't mind this silence tbh, let the work speak for itself.
— Seun Adebajo (@seunadebajo) May 29, 2019
And the oath of office was administered to Buhari and that is all.
No inauguration speech, appreciation note/speech, no nothing and the guy just bone.
Nawao…— Simo_Texas 🇳🇬 (@Onuhsimon1) May 29, 2019
Buhari gave his inauguration speech during his NTA Media Chat. Please refer to it and stop expecting any speech
— Jackson Ude (@jacksonpbn) May 29, 2019
"No Inauguration Speech until JUNE 12"
Muhammadu Buhari.
Fulanisation Reloaded!
— Ayekooto (@DeeOneAyekooto) May 29, 2019
Heard Buhari did not give any speech at the inauguration.
He is probably upset with us for criticising his ramblings during the media chat.
Our Monarch.
— Adetayo (@damoche) May 29, 2019
I guess the absence of the presidential inaugural speech makes it low key.#TheInauguration #Inauguration2019 #NextLevel #Nigeria#May29
Buhari
Yemi Osinbajo
— IG: @djokaymegamixer (@djokaymegamixer) May 29, 2019
Buhari no give speech afta e take oath https://t.co/dL2S4K1zJP
— #BiafraHeroesDay2019 (@Amaka_Ekwo) May 29, 2019
