Politics
Full Speech Of President Asiwaju Bola Tinubu Inauguration Ceremony
FIRST INAUGURAL ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU 29 MAY 2023
THE NIGERIAN IDEAL
My Fellow Citizens,
I stand before you honoured to assume the sacred mandate you have given me. My love for this nation is abiding. My confidence in its people, unwavering. And my faith in God Almighty, absolute. I know that His hand shall provide the needed moral strength and clarity of purpose in those instances when we seem to have reached the limits of our human capacity.
This day is bold and majestic yet bright and full of spirit, as is our precious nation.
As a nation, we have long ago decided to march beyond the dimness of night into the open day of renewed national hope.
The question we now ask ourselves is whether to remain faithful to the work inherent in building a better society or retreat into the shadows of our unmet potential.
For me, there is but one answer. We are too great a nation and too grounded as a people to rob ourselves of our finest destiny.
This nation’s journey has been shaped by the prayers of millions, and the collective sacrifices of us all.
We have endured hardships that would have made other societies crumble.
Yet, we have shouldered the heavy burden to arrive at this SUBLIME moment where the prospect of a better future merges with our improved capacity to create that future.
To the surprise of many but not to ourselves, we have more firmly established this land as a democracy in both word and deed.
The peaceful transition from one government to another is now our political tradition. This handover symbolizes our trust in God, our enduring faith in representative governance and our belief in our ability to reshape this nation into the society it was always meant to be.
Here, permit me to say a few words to my predecessor, President Muhammadu Buhari Mr President, you have been an honest, patriotic leader who has done his best for the nation you love. On a more personal note, you are a worthy partner and friend. May History be kind to you.
For many years, Nigeria’s critics have trafficked the rumour that our nation will break apart, even perish.
Yet here we are. We have stumbled at times, but our resilience and diversity have kept us going.
Our burdens may make us bend at times, but they shall never break us.
Instead, we stand forth as Africa’s most populous nation and as the best hope and strongest champion of the Black Race.
As citizens, we declare as one unified people devoted to one unified national cause, that as long as this world exists, NIGERIA SHALL EXIST.
Today, Fate and Destiny join together to place the torch of human progress in our very hands. We dare not let it slip.
We lift high this torch so that it might shine on every household and in every heart that calls itself Nigerian. We hold this beam aloft because it lights our path with compassion, brotherhood, and peace. May this great light never EXTINGUISH.
Our administration shall govern on your behalf but never rule over you. We shall consult and dialogue but never dictate. We shall reach out to all but never put down a single person for holding views contrary to our own.
We are here to further mend and heal this nation, not tear and injure it.
In this vein, may I offer a few comments regarding the election that brought us to this juncture. It was a hard fought contest. And it was also fairly won. Since the advent of the Fourth Republic, Nigeria has not held an election of better quality.
The outcome reflected the will of the people. However, my victory does not render me any more Nigerian than my opponents. Nor does it render them any less patriotic.
They shall forever be my fellow compatriots. And I will treat them as such. They represent important constituencies and concerns that wisdom dare not ignore.
They have taken their concerns to court. Seeking legal redress is their right and I fully defend their exercise of this right. This is the essence of the rule of law.
Over six decades ago, our founding fathers gave bravely of themselves to place Nigeria on the map as an independent nation.
We must never allow the labor of those who came before us to wither in vain but to blossom and bring forth a better reality.
Let us take the next great step in the journey they began and believed in.
Today, let us recommit our very selves to placing Nigeria in our hearts as the indispensable home for each and every one of us regardless of creed, ethnicity, or place of birth.
My supporters, I thank you. To those who voted otherwise, I extend my hand across the political divide. I ask you to grasp it in national affinity and brotherhood. For me, political coloration has faded away. All I see are Nigerians.
May we uphold these fitting and excellent notions as the new Nigerian ideal.
My fellow compatriots,
The Nigerian ideal which I speak of is more than just an improvement in economic and other statistics. These things are important; but they can never convey the fullness of our story.
Our mission is to improve our way of life in a manner that nurtures our humanity, encourages compassion toward one another, and duly rewards our collective effort to resolve the social ills that seek to divide us.
Our constitution and laws give us a nation on paper. We must work harder at bringing these noble documents to life by strengthening the bonds of economic collaboration, social cohesion, and cultural understanding. Let us develop a shared sense of fairness and equity.
The South must not only seek good for itself but must understand that its interests are served when good comes to the North. The North must see the South likewise.
Whether from the winding creeks of the Niger Delta, the vastness of the northern savannah, the boardrooms of Lagos, the bustling capital of Abuja, or the busy markets of Onitsha, you are all my people. As your president, I shall serve with prejudice toward none but compassion and amity towards all.
In the coming days and weeks, my team will publicly detail key aspects of our programme. Today, permit me to outline in broad terms a few initiatives that define our concept of progressive good governance in furtherance of the Nigerian ideal:
The principles that will guide our administration are simple:
1. Nigeria will be impartially governed according to the constitution and the rule of law.
2. We shall defend the nation from terror and all forms of criminality that threaten the peace and stability of our country and our subregion.
3. We shall remodel our economy to bring about growth and development through job creation, food security and an end of extreme poverty.
4. In our administration, Women and youth will feature prominently.
5. Our government will continue to take proactive steps such as championing a credit culture to discourage corruption while strengthening the effectiveness and efficiency of the various anti-corruption agencies.
SECURITY
Security shall be the top priority of our administration because neither prosperity nor justice can prevail amidst insecurity and violence.
To effectively tackle this menace, we shall reform both our security DOCTRINE and its ARCHITECTURE.
We shall invest more in our security personnel, and this means more than an increase in number. We shall provide, better training, equipment, pay and firepower.
THE ECONOMY
On the economy, we target a higher GDP growth and to significantly reduce unemployment.
We intend to accomplish this by taking the following steps:
First, budgetary reform stimulating the economy without engendering inflation will be instituted.
Second, industrial policy will utilize the full range of fiscal measures to promote domestic manufacturing and lessen import dependency.
Third, electricity will become more accessible and affordable to businesses and homes alike. Power generation should nearly double and transmission and distribution networks improved. We will encourage states to develop local sources as well.
I have a message for our investors, local and foreign: our government shall review all their complaints about multiple taxation and various anti-investment inhibitions.
We shall ensure that investors and foreign businesses repatriate their hard earned dividends and profits home.
JOBS
My administration must create meaningful opportunities for our youth. We shall honour our campaign commitment of one million new jobs in the digital economy.
Our government also shall work with the National Assembly to fashion an omnibus Jobs and Prosperity bill. This bill will give our administration the policy space to embark on labour-intensive infrastructural improvements, encourage light industry and provide improved social services for the poor, elderly and vulnerable.
AGRICULTURE
Rural incomes shall be secured by commodity exchange boards guaranteeing minimal prices for certain crops and animal products. A nationwide programme for storage and other facilities to reduce spoilage and waste will be undertaken.
Agricultural hubs will be created throughout the nation to increase production and engage in value-added processing. The livestock sector will be introduced to best modern practices and steps taken to minimize the perennial conflict over land and water resources in this sector.
Through these actions, food shall be made more abundant yet less costly. Farmers shall earn more while the average Nigerian pays less.
INFRASTRUCTURE
We shall continue the efforts of the Buhari administration on infrastructure. Progress toward national networks of roads, rail and ports shall get priority attention.
FUEL SUBSIDY
We commend the decision of the outgoing administration in phasing out the petrol subsidy regime which has increasingly favoured the rich more than the poor. Subsidy can no longer justify its ever-increasing costs in the wake of drying resources. We shall instead re-channel the funds into better investment in public infrastructure, education, health care and jobs that will materially improve the lives of millions.
MONETARY POLICY
Monetary policy needs thorough housecleaning. The Central Bank must work towards a unified exchange rate. This will direct funds away from arbitrage into meaningful investment in the plant, equipment and jobs that power the real economy.
Interest rates need to be reduced to increase investment and consumer purchasing in ways that sustain the economy at a higher level.
Whatever merits it had in concept, the currency swap was too harshly applied by the CBN given the number of unbanked Nigerians. The policy shall be reviewed. In the meantime, my administration will treat both currencies as legal tender.
FOREIGN POLICY
Given the world in which we reside, please permit a few comments regarding foreign policy.
The crisis in Sudan and the turn from democracy by several nations in our immediate neighbourhood are of pressing concern.
As such, my primary foreign policy objective must be the peace and stability of the West African subregion and the African continent. We shall work with ECOWAS, the AU and willing partners in the international community to end extant conflicts and to resolve new ones.
As we contain threats to peace, we shall also retool our foreign policy to more actively lead the regional and continental quest for collective prosperity.
CONCLUSION
This is the proudest day of my life. But this day does not belong to me. It belongs to you, the people of Nigeria.
On this day, Nigeria affirms its rightful place among the world’s great democracies. There, Nigeria shall reside forever.
The course of our past and the promise of the future have brought us to this exceptional moment.
In this spirit, I ask you to join me in making Nigeria a more perfect nation and democracy such that the Nigerian ideal becomes and forever remains the Nigerian reality.
With full confidence in our ability, I declare that these things are within our proximate reach because my name is Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and I am the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
May God bless you and May He bless our beloved land.
The presidential candidate of the Action Democratic Party, ADP, Ambassador Aliyu Bin Abbas, has raised the alarm over alleged moves to replace him as the party’s candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Abbas, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Okpani Jacob Onjewu Dickson, and made available to journalists in Kaduna on Friday, said any attempt to substitute his name without his consent and outside established legal and party procedures would undermine democratic principles.
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He said he had received information about alleged political pressure concerning the party’s presidential candidacy, although he did not provide independent evidence to substantiate the claim.
According to him, any decision affecting the party’s presidential candidate must comply with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act, the constitution and regulations of the ADP, as well as applicable procedures of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
“Any attempt to secretly substitute, withdraw, replace or otherwise compromise my candidacy without my express consent and without strict adherence to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act, the constitution and regulations of the ADP, and applicable INEC procedures would constitute a grave assault on democratic principles and the rights of our members and supporters,” he said.
Abbas said he emerged as the ADP presidential candidate through the party’s recognised processes, stressing that any subsequent decision concerning the ticket should be handled transparently and in accordance with the law.
“My mandate is not a personal possession of any individual, neither is it a political bargaining chip to be traded behind closed doors,” he said.
The ADP candidate urged the party’s National Chairman, Engr. Yabagi Yusuf Sani, the National Working Committee, Board of Trustees, state chairmen and other stakeholders to protect the integrity of the party’s presidential nomination process.
He also called on the party leadership to preserve official records relating to the presidential primary, nomination, submission of documents and communications with INEC.
Abbas further maintained that any alteration to the party’s presidential ticket should only be undertaken through lawful, transparent and verifiable procedures prescribed by the party’s constitution and relevant electoral laws.
He urged political stakeholders to respect the rights of party members and supporters and allow democratic processes to determine candidates for the 2027 elections.
“Our party belongs to its members. Our mandate belongs to the people. And our democracy belongs to Nigeria,” he said.
A Civil Society Organisation, Yiaga Africa, has warned that rising tension, pre-election violence and inflammatory rhetoric could discourage voters from participating in Saturday’s Osun State governorship election.
The organisation raised the alarm on Thursday during a pre-election press conference in Osogbo, where the Chairperson of the Osun Election Observation Mission, Dr Asmau Maikudi, urged political actors and other stakeholders to create a peaceful environment for voters.
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Maikudi said preparations for the election were broadly on track but stressed that the credibility of the exercise would ultimately depend on the performance of the Independent National Electoral Commission on election day.
She said INEC had carried out key preparations across the state’s 30 Local Government Areas, including Permanent Voter Card distribution, recruitment and training of election officials, mock accreditation, BVAS configuration, stakeholder engagement and election security coordination.
“The electoral umpire had undertaken key preparatory activities across the 30 Local Government Areas, including Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) distribution, recruitment and training of election officials, mock accreditation, BVAS configuration, stakeholder engagement and election security coordination.
“Election-day credibility will depend on timely deployment, reliable technology, consistent application of the law and effective contingency planning,” she said.
However, Maikudi noted that PVC collection was disrupted in Odo-Otin and Ife Central Local Government Areas, limiting some eligible voters’ ability to obtain their cards.
She said although INEC had announced plans to enable affected voters to download electronic PVCs, limited access to digital services could prevent some voters from benefiting from the arrangement.
“This increases the risk of voter disenfranchisement,” she warned.
On security, the Yiaga Africa official cited the attack on a PVC collection centre in Odo-Otin, politically linked violence in Osogbo and disputes over control of motor parks as developments that had heightened security risks ahead of the poll.
She also expressed concern over what she described as an escalation in incendiary rhetoric and hate speech attributed to political actors.
“Yiaga Africa expressed concern over the escalation of incendiary rhetoric and hate speech attributed to political actors. Such rhetoric could legitimise violence, deepen partisan hostility and undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
“We called for intelligence-led, coordinated and strictly impartial security deployment, with enhanced protection for electoral personnel, facilities, materials and voters,” Maikudi said.
She urged security and law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute electoral violence, threats, hate speech and related offences without regard to political status, party affiliation or influence.
Maikudi further warned that unresolved technical problems could disenfranchise eligible voters, create tension at polling units and undermine confidence in the credibility and legitimacy of the election.
She called for more targeted voter education, particularly for women, youths and persons with disabilities, stressing the need to sustain political awareness and civic engagement ahead of the election.
Yiaga Africa also identified voter inducement as a significant integrity risk, saying it had documented the distribution of money and gift items by political actors.
According to Maikudi, some of the distributions were presented as social interventions or charitable support, but their timing and proximity to campaign activities raised concerns about voter inducement and undue influence.
She said voter education activities had expanded since July 1, with INEC, civil society organisations and the National Orientation Agency playing key roles.
Maikudi, however, cautioned that pre-election violence, inflammatory rhetoric and persistent distrust in the electoral process could suppress voter participation on election day.
Residents of Osun State have expressed concern that escalating political violence and killings ahead of Saturday’s governorship election could discourage voters from turning out to exercise their franchise.
Some residents who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday also questioned whether the election would be peaceful, free and credible, without disruption, inconclusiveness or cancellation.
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A civil servant, Seun Akinboboye, said the rising political tension and reported killings could scare voters away from polling units.
He urged candidates and political actors to ensure their supporters obeyed the rules and avoided acts capable of triggering violence.
Akinboboye also appealed to security agencies to provide adequate protection for voters on Election Day to enable them to perform their civic responsibility without fear.
Similarly, a business owner, Demilola Olasunkanmi, said the activities of political thugs had become alarming and required urgent intervention.
She called for increased security during and after the election, urging security personnel to restrict movement during the poll to essential workers and others with legitimate reasons to be on the streets.
Olasunkanmi also advised residents to remain vigilant and cautious to avoid becoming victims of any unforeseen incident.
For Elizabeth Oluwatoyin, the fear of political violence is strong enough to keep her and her family away from the polls.
“All these politicians are the same. It is always about their selfish interest and enriching themselves and their families.
“I will not, because of the election, let them kill me. They have been killing each other for the past two to three months,” she said.
Oluwatoyin said she had warned her daughter against discussing politics publicly to avoid becoming a target.
She also said she had appealed to her husband not to risk his life for any politician, noting that politicians could eventually reconcile after the election.
“As the whole thing is going, I don’t think anybody from my family will go out and vote in this coming governorship election,” she added.
However, an elderly resident, Ajeniwura Adeoye, said he would not allow the violence to prevent him from voting.
“Look at me, I am almost 70 years old and I have been voting since 1979.
“I cannot be intimidated at my age and prevented from coming out now to vote for the candidate I want,” he said.
Adeoye said he believed the killings and shootings were intended to discourage voters from participating in the election.
While acknowledging the concerns over safety, he urged residents to come out and exercise their franchise, noting that the police had assured the public of adequate security.
He also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remain impartial and urged security agencies to protect voters on Election Day.
Meanwhile, a businesswoman, Ronke Ajibade, said her expectation was for a peaceful election without bloodshed or killings.
She said she would be willing to vote if the security situation remained calm, while appealing to candidates and political parties to play by the rules and reject violence.
Another resident of Owode-Ede, Olawale Ibrahim, described the political atmosphere as frightening, warning that continued tension could discourage voters from participating.
He urged political actors to regard the election as a normal contest in which there would be a winner and a loser, rather than treating it as a do-or-die affair.
NAN reports that there have been a series of killings in Osun ahead of the election, with political parties trading accusations and counter-accusations.
The concerns over voter safety come as the state prepares for Saturday’s governorship election, with residents calling for stronger security measures to ensure that eligible voters can participate without fear.
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