Nigeria’s Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been sworn in as president of Africa’s most populous country.
Tinubu, a former Lagos State Governor, was inaugurated as Nigeria’s 16th President on Monday, May 29 at the Eagle Square in the nation’s capital city, Abuja.
The 71-year-old took office at a period of unprecedented challenges, leaving some citizens hopeful for a better life and others skeptical that his government would perform better than the one he succeeded.
Tinubu member of Buhari’s party, promised to be a better steward of Africa’s biggest economy and most populous nation.
“We have corruption, insecurity and many problems confronting us but don’t pity me. I asked for the job. I campaigned for it. No excuses.”
He also promised to build on Buhari’s efforts to deliver democratic dividends to citizens in a country where deadly security crises, widespread poverty and hunger have left many frustrated and angry. And with his election still being contested in court by opposition parties and among many young Nigerians, Tinubu has also pledged to reunite the country.
Opponents see him as a member of the old guard who said last year it was his turn to lead after backing Buhari for the top job in 2015.
At the inauguration venue, neither of the two main opposition candidates challenging Tinubu’s election in court was present and many Nigerians tweeted in protest to Tinubu’s inauguration. The outcome of the court challenge is due in about three weeks. If the opposition challenges are upheld, it would be the first time a presidential election would be nullified by the court in Nigeria’s history.
