May 29 in Nigeria since 1999 has become a notable date that will remain in the annals of the nation’s democratic history and years to come as democracy tarries in the country. It is a day just like in any other country, especially, in Africa where they mark the transition of one government to another. In Nigeria, we tagged in ‘Democracy Day’ not until last year when it was changed to June 12 while retaining May 29 as inauguration day.

The 29th of May in every four year cycle was when a new or returning president is sworn in as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces takes over the mantle of the country’s leadership as well as across the states of the federation.

But yesterday’s Inauguration Day was, unarguably, an abysmal one for some individuals, for nationhood and for those who have the nation’s interest at heart.

First, just after the ceremony ended at the Eagle Square in Abuja, social media enthusiasts and bloggers took to their platforms of a video clip showing one of the military guards attached to the Presidency directing the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole to change his position on queue of dignitaries awaiting the President’s arrival from where he was standing between the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonishakin. Oshiomhole, after some clarification from the military officer, immediately followed him to the end of the queue, after the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu.

One would ask, how did he get there? What could be going on in his mind at that time? Other top dignitaries of the party where all seated where they were assigned to sit but Adams Oshiomhole ignored existing protocols. The whole drama becomes more curious when juxtaposed with the fact that the APC National Chairman was a former Governor who should know basic protocols. This embarrassment from him took over the social media space yesterday and effectively removed the shine from the inauguration ceremony.

Again, May 29 as an important day in Nigeria’s democracy, it was expected that the nation’s former leaders ought to be present at the event yesterday but surprisingly, it was only one of them that was present, former head of state, General Yakubu Gowon.

Yakubu Gowon

The likes of Generals Ibrahim Babangida, Abdulsalami Abubakar, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Ebele Jonathan were noticeably absent. This sends a wrong signal to the Buhari administration as to how inclusive his style of leadership in the country has been.

Nigeria’s former leaders: R-L Olusegun Obasanjo, Ernest Shonekan, Abdusalami Abubakar, Ibrahim Banagida, and former Vice President, Namadi Sambo

Another fallout, yesterday, was that the President did not give a speech which was largely expected of him to avail the citizens the direction his administration was to go in this his second tenure; at least, an appreciation of those who voted him into power. His media aide was later to say that a speech will be given on June 12 (Democracy Day). Courtesy demands that a word from the President ought to have been given. These are some of the many instances of the President’s nonchalance in the public space.

Finally, before nightfall, yesterday, it was in the news that the President has jetted off to Saudi Arabia for a meeting with member countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Many had frowned at this yesterday expecting the President to remain in the country on the day of the inauguration. It was generally assumed that the President took the OIC meeting very important more than the inauguration event. This may not be the case, though. Let us assume that the President knows what he is doing and hope for a better Nigeria this next four years of his administration.

Kenneth Afor, a journalist, writes from Lagos