First presidential inauguration without inaugural speech worries Nigerians
For the first time in the history of Federal Republic of Nigeria, the citizens woke up well prepared to hear about the new direction of President Muhammadu Buhari direction in his second term, but were disappointed as he only took oath of office and walked away.
Though the government had earlier hinted that the 2019 inauguration plan will be low key, many never comprehended that the lowness will be extended to not giving any form of policy direction in a presidential inauguration address format.
Majority of Nigerians who were looking onto hearing cheering policy direction and possible changes in his leadership style were disappointed as they waited to hear only nothing.
Many Nigerians had expected to hear strategic plans and change of approaches on issues relating to internal security, fiscal policy, security architecture, infrastructure and hints on whether his second term will see marked shift from way of doing things in the last four year and so many other issues of national importance.
Business Hilights recalls that ever since the return of democracy in Nigeria on May 20, 1999, every inauguration had been greeted with hope rising presidential speech.
For example, in his May 29, 2015 address shortly after his inauguration at the same Eagle Square in Abuja, he made sweeping administrative reforms including announcing the relocation of the Military War Command from Defence Head Quarters to Maiduguri, the heart of insurgency war and several far reaching and thought provoking presidential declarations.
Checks across the entire 29 states where new governors were inaugurated saw inauguration addresses delivered by governors who used the occasion to roll out their development plans for the next four years.
However, analysts say he may have chosen to save his presidential address for the first official Democracy Day celebration in Nigeria slated for June 12, coming in just two weeks at the same venue.
