NEWS
Boss Mustapha Reveals Activities For Tinubu’s May 29 Swearing-In Ceremony
Boss Mustapha, Chairman of the Presidential Transition Council, has unveiled the comprehensive lineup of activities for the swearing-in ceremony of Bola Tinubu as Nigeria’s President on May 29.
The inauguration proceedings are scheduled to commence on Thursday, starting with the official conferment of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic to Bola Tinubu, and the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger to the Vice-President-elect, Kashim Shettima.
A director from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that numerous African leaders have expressed their intention to attend the inauguration ceremony, which is set to be held at Eagle Square in Abuja.
According to an anonymous director from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, invitations have been extended to all 54 African countries for the inauguration.
The director further stated that they anticipate the presence of at least 65 world leaders from Africa, Europe, and America at the event. However, the director requested anonymity as they are not authorized to speak on the matter.
He said “We have 54 countries in Africa and most of them have been invited to the inauguration; so, we don’t expect less than 65 world leaders from Africa, Europe and America at the event,’’
The upcoming high-profile event is expected to be attended by representatives from Nigeria’s traditional allies, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, China, Germany, Finland, Jamaica, Japan, Israel, Turkey, and several other countries.
Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, announced during a press briefing in Abuja that numerous world leaders will participate in the event as activities for the transition of power to the incoming administration have commenced.
As the inauguration of former Lagos State governor Bola Tinubu approaches, preparations for the event are intensifying.
Meanwhile, the legal battle challenging Tinubu’s election victory, initiated by the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate Atiku Abubakar and the Labour Party’s candidate Peter Obi, is ongoing at the Presidential Election Petitions Court.
On Thursday, the court adjourned further proceedings in Atiku’s petition until Friday (today) to continue pre-hearing sessions and address pending applications submitted by the respondents.
The panel led by Justice Haruna Tsammani has stated that the court will determine the number of witnesses allowed for each party, allocate time for their presentations, and set time limits for cross-examination.
The panel encouraged the parties involved to collaborate and reach an agreement on the additional procedures to be followed.
In a similar vein, the court adjourned Peter Obi’s petition until today due to the parties’ inability to reconcile the relevant documents related to their claims.
Mustapha went on to outline the activities for the event, stating that transition documents would be officially handed over to Tinubu and Shettima on the same day.
In addition, Mustapha announced that the former president of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, has been designated to deliver the inauguration lecture.
The lecture, titled “Deepening Democracy for Integration and Development,” is scheduled to take place on May 27.
The series of activities surrounding the inauguration also includes a Regimental Dinner honoring the Commander-in-Chief at the Armed Forces Officers Mess on May 23, a Valedictory Federal Executive Council Meeting at the Council Chambers in the Presidential Villa on May 24, a Public Lecture and Juma’at prayer at the National Mosque on May 26, a Children’s Day Parade and Party on May 27, and an Inter-denominational Church Service at the National Christian Centre on May 28.
Furthermore, an Inauguration Dinner/Gala Night is scheduled to be held at the State House Conference Centre on May 28. The main event, the inauguration and swearing-in of the President-elect and Vice President-elect, will occur on May 29.
The occasion will be accompanied by an inauguration parade taking place at the Eagle Square.
Following the inauguration ceremony, a post-inauguration luncheon exclusively for the President, fellow Presidents, Heads of Government, and distinguished guests will be held at the State House Banquet Hall.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) disclosed that numerous world leaders have expressed their interest in attending the event.
He said “So far, invitations have been sent to Presidents and Heads of Government as well as Heads of international organisations. We are also glad to report that many of these invitees have confirmed attendance in person.
But when asked about the identities of the leaders, the SGF said, “Diplomatic privilege does not allow us to announce the number of people coming. If you know what is happening globally, we cannot tell you who is coming. We leave that to their embassies to make it public.”
Mustapha insisted that the handover would hold despite the court cases seeking the cancellation of the ceremony.
The transition committee chairman noted, “The inauguration would not be stopped pending the determination of the cases in court. This is not the first time we have had elections. In my political life, I have seen different transitions.
‘’From Shagari’s period to Buhari, the inauguration went on despite court cases. In 2003, Buhari spent months at the tribunal up till the Supreme Court. He repeated the process three times. The only election that was not litigated was in 2015 when Jonathan conceded defeat. With or without litigation, the handover will be held on May 29. The Constitution and Electoral Act are clear on this.”
‘’I am delighted to inform you that May 29, 2023, will mark the seventh consecutive democratic transition of power in Nigeria and on that day, we shall all be ushering in the 16th President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
According to him, the transition council interfaced and learnt from the transition processes practised in the United States of America and Kenya, expressing hope that Nigeria would have legislation on presidential transition soon.
Mustapha said, “In furtherance of discharging its functions, the PTC also interfaced with leading democratic nations including the United States of America and the Republic of Kenya, as part of its learning efforts to pick up useful lessons in line with international best practices.
“It is important to also state that these countries have specific legislations on Presidential Transition, some of which date back to 1963. It is our expectation that specific legislation on presidential transition in Nigeria would be passed soon.”
Boss Mustapha reassured that comprehensive measures have been implemented to ensure the security and safety of all individuals during the inauguration period.
The Chairman of the Security, Facilities, and Intelligence Committee, and National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, further stated that a combination of covert and overt operations has been arranged to secure the event venues and hotels designated for guest accommodations.
Monguno emphasized that they do not anticipate any attacks during the events, but issued a warning to individuals without valid reasons to stay away from the event venues.
He said, “Our primary function is to provide both overt and covert security cover for all the venues where the stated activities would be held, including the hotels where guests would be staying. The span of our work is before, during, and after the inauguration.
‘’My advice is that if you have no business at the venue, you need not be there. The most important message I would like to pass across to you is that we do not envisage anything negative. Everybody should be calm, especially those coming from other countries.” he added.
Senior Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Sunday Dare, has criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his manner of addressing the President, describing it as “the height of insolence.”
In a statement posted on X on Saturday, Dare accused Atiku of political hubris for addressing the President simply as “Bola” while allegedly attempting to dictate how the government should be run.
“To seek to lecture a sitting president with the unbridled insolence of dropping his first name, petulantly barking instructions, and dictating how governance should be run within a truncated timeline is the height of political hubris,” Dare said.
ALSO READ: Sunday Dare Highlights Tinubu’s Key Achievements, Fires Back at Steve Osuji
He also dismissed Atiku’s comments on fiscal management, arguing that Nigerians do not need lectures from the former vice president on how to manage the economy.
Dare described Atiku as a “political wanderer” whose decades-long pursuit of the presidency, according to him, has been defined by “perpetual opportunism.”
He defended the Tinubu administration’s economic policies, saying the President was undertaking what he described as the “heavy, foundational lifting” required to restructure an economy affected by decades of structural challenges and subsidy costs.
“Atiku’s sudden conversion to the gospel of interventionism rings hollow,” Dare said, describing it as a strategy by what he called a “perennial seeker of power” to exploit national difficulties for electoral mileage.
Dare also accused Atiku of weaponising economic challenges for political purposes, while defending the Tinubu administration’s approach to economic reforms.
Biztellers reports that Dare was also reacting to a recent International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) arbitration ruling on the dispute involving Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited and the Federal Government.
Recall that an ICC arbitration tribunal sitting in Paris on Thursday, September 17, 2026, issued a ruling rejecting Sunrise Power’s claims against the Federal Republic of Nigeria over the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project in Taraba State.
Speaking via a post on X on Friday, Dare said: “Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s recent theatrical press conference, characterised by haughty condescension and an unbecoming disregard for the high office of the President of Nigeria, is nothing short of self-deprecation.”
Dare accused Atiku of attempting to distract Nigerians from questions surrounding the Mambilla project and his past, while criticising what he described as the former vice president’s renewed interventionist position on economic matters.
He further questioned Atiku’s criticism of the Tinubu administration, arguing that the former vice president should first address lingering questions surrounding his past before attempting to lecture the government on governance and economic management.
The comments come amid renewed exchanges between Atiku and the Tinubu administration as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections continue to intensify.
The Federal Government has constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the reported deaths of 37 people held in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Niger State Command, over alleged illegal mining.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the development in a statement on Saturday, saying the action followed a directive by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the incident.
Recall that the deaths occurred on Thursday, September 17, 2026.
RELATED NEWS: 37 Miners’ Deaths: Interior Minister Arrives Minna, Set to Inspect Detention Centre
The Minister also ordered the suspension of all officers involved in the incident pending the conclusion of the independent committee’s investigation.
Tunji-Ojo described the deaths as “deeply disturbing”, stressing that the government owes the families of the deceased and the Nigerian public a transparent account of the events that led to the incident.
According to the statement, the committee will establish the identities of the deceased and investigate their arrests, detention, as well as the cause and circumstances surrounding their deaths.
It will also determine responsibility, complicity, negligence and misconduct and recommend appropriate action, including compensation where applicable, as well as measures to prevent a recurrence.
The Minister directed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant officers to cooperate fully with the committee.
He further ordered that all records and material evidence connected to the incident be preserved and made available to investigators.
“Any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation will be treated as a serious offence,” the Minister warned.
Members of the investigative committee
The 10-member committee is chaired by Mr Jonathan Kure, mni, a retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, while Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, former Director-General of the Nigeria Law School, will serve as Secretary.
Other members are:
AIG Hosea Hassan Karma (retired)
Prof. Olayinka Buhari, Professor of Histopathology and former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital
Representative of the Minna Emirate Council
Representative of the Niger State Government.
Alhaji Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary, Miners Association of Nigeria
Mr Deji Adeyanju, lawyer and human rights activist
Mrs Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint Newspaper
Dr George Agbakahi, Public Affairs Analyst
The committee may co-opt relevant experts, access all necessary facilities and documents, visit relevant locations and request memoranda from members of the public.
It has two weeks to complete its work and submit its report to the Minister.
20 NSCDC officers suspended
The Federal Government also released the names of 20 officers suspended in addition to the Niger State Commandant of the Corps.
The suspended officers are:
O/C Station Guard, SC Usman Isah Ndamaka
Station Guard, ASCI Hassan Mohammed
Station Guard, CCA Bala Mohammed
Arresting Officer/O/C Investigation, CSC Oluwadare Sunday
Arresting Officer, DCC Obafemi Elvis
Arresting Officer, CSC Annas Shitto Lamino
HOD INT/INV, DCC Philip Ajayi
O/C Legal, ACC Barr. Stephen Tsado
Day/Night Duty Officer, ASCI Alhassan Mohammed
Guard Duty, IC Abdullahi Sale
Guard Duty, IC Mohammed Sonfada
Guard Duty, CAI Liman Abubakar
Guard Duty, CAI Bala Usman
Guard Duty, IC Mohammed Jiya
Guard Duty, DSC Isah Suleiman
Guard Duty, CAI Ahmed Wushishi
Guard Duty, IC Sale Adamu
Guard Duty, IC Haruna Mohammed
Guard Duty, ASCI Aliyu Sallah
Guard Duty, CAI Isah Sanusi
The Minister extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm while the investigation continues.
Former Vice-President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, is set to address a world press conference at his residence in Abuja on Friday.
The specific reason for the media briefing has not been disclosed as of the time of filing this report.
SEE ALSO: Mambilla: ICC Orders Sunrise Power to Pay Nigeria $11.8m After 9-Year Battle
Atiku’s planned engagement comes amid several developments attracting public attention, including a recent report from TheCable concerning a $500,000 payment allegedly transferred in 2003 to his former wife, Jennifer Douglas, by Leno Adesanya, promoter of Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited.
TheCable reported that Adesanya told an international arbitration tribunal that the payment was part of a foreign-exchange transaction carried out for Atiku.
The report further stated that the payment was made through China Castle Investments Limited, an offshore company controlled by Adesanya.
The development comes shortly after an International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) tribunal ruled in favour of Nigeria in the $2.35 billion arbitration dispute brought by Sunrise Power over the Mambilla hydropower project.
The tribunal also ordered Sunrise Power and its promoter to reimburse Nigeria for a portion of its legal fees and expenses.
However, there is currently no official indication that Atiku’s scheduled press conference is connected to the Sunrise Power report, the arbitration ruling or any other specific issue.
The Soludo, Obi Spat – When Brothers Fight to the Finish
‘Calling Tinubu Bola, Giving Him Orders Is Insolence’ — Sunday Dare Blasts Atiku
37 Deaths in NSCDC Custody: FG Suspends 20 Officers, Sets Up Independent Panel
JUST IN: Atiku Set to Address World Press Conference in Abuja
‘No One Will Be Shielded’ — FG Vows Justice Over Death of 37 Miners
37 Miners’ Deaths: Interior Minister Arrives Minna, Set to Inspect Detention Centre
Trump’s Family Unveils New Cryptocurrency Platform
Senate Denies Receiving Petitions Against Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees
Dangote Cement Lights Up Benue Host Communities With CSR Initiatives
Reps Recommend 3-year Jail Term For Aviation minister
Tems Sets New Record On Billboard Hot 100 Chart
