By Damola Emmanuel
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Tajudeen Abbas, has admitted that the National Assembly made a mistake in informing Nigerians that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will address a joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, in commemoration of 25 years of democracy in Nigeria and the first anniversary of the Tinubu administration.
There was a mild drama yesterday as two presidential advisers cancelled each other on whether the President will address a joint session of the National Assembly or not.
While the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, issued a statement earlier in the day to the affirmative, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ajuri Ngelale, declared categorically that the information was not only “false and unauthorized”, the Office of the President was not involved in planning the event.
Before the conflicting statements by the two advisers, the Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr. Magaji Tambuwal, had announced that President Tinubu would deliver a “state of the nation” address at a joint sitting of the Senate and House of Representatives, and urged members to be seated by 9.a.m.
The Clerk also informed that the President would commission the new National Assembly library.
Consequent upon the Clerk’s correspondence, elaborate preparations were made to receive the President. Relevant security agencies had taken over, ‘swept’ the chambers and restricted movement of people, according to a source close to the Office of the Speaker.
Television houses and radio stations had strategically positioned their Outside Broadcasting (OB) vans, ready to roll.
The calculation was that once the President finishes commissioning the new National Assembly Library complex, he would proceed to the Senate for the joint session.
Of a truth, President Tinubu arrived the National Assembly at about 11:57a.m., and proceeded to the Senate but there was no former address. Rather, Senate President Akpabio, while welcoming him to the Red Chamber, just told lawmakers that the President “was just passing through the National Assembly”. And he may choose to say a few words or he may not as he (the president) had other engagements lined up.
Akpabio also said the joint session would sing the old national anthem, Nigeria we hail thee, which bill the President had earlier in the day signed into law.
Akpabio urged the lawmakers to download the new anthem.
True to Akpabio’s words, the President not only listened to the rendition of the old National Anthem, he actually took part in the singing, made a brief remark, and left.
However, sources close to the State House, Abuja, said the President declined to address a joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday, May 29, preferring to do so on June 12, 2024, Nigeria’s Democracy Day.
Recall that Nigerians had woken to the announcement by the Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr. Magaji Tambuwal, indicating that Tinubu would deliver a “state of the nation” address at a joint sitting of the Senate and House of Representatives. Tambuwal also mentioned that the president would inaugurate the National Assembly library.
Corroborating Tambuwal’s statement, Onanuga had, in his statement, said: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not make a broadcast to the nation on Wednesday to celebrate his first anniversary as the leader of Nigeria.
“Instead, the President will address a joint session of the National Assembly, which has lined up a programme to commemorate 25 years of the nation’s democratic journey at both the executive and legislative levels.
“President Tinubu’s speech will dwell on the achievements of his administration and Nigeria’s democracy since the military ceded power in 1999.
“Former Senate President, Senator David Mark, former speaker of the House of Representatives and now President Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, are all lined up to address the parliament.
“Also lined up to speak is the former military ruler, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, who handed over power to civilian administration in 1999.
“At the end of the speeches, President Tinubu will commission the National Assembly Library and Resource Centre, now to be known as the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Building. Bayo Onanuga Special Adviser on Information & Strategy, May 28, 2024”.
However, Ajuri Ngelale issued a three-paragraph rebuttal later in the day, saying that the information was “false and unauthorized”.
“In furtherance of his commitment to delivering good governance,” Ngelale said, “President Bola Tinubu has embarked on the inauguration of strategic projects across the country.
“More transformative projects will be inaugurated by President Tinubu’s administration for the benefit of all Nigerians.
“In view of public commentary concerning the President delivering a speech before a Joint Sitting of the National Assembly tomorrow, (Wednesday), May 29, 2024, it is important to state that this information is false and unauthorised as the Office of the President was not involved in the planning of the event.”
With the drama that preceded the President’s visit to the National Assembly on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, Nigerians are urging the President to ensure proper delineation of his media team to avoid the kind of embarrassment and confusion that Nigerians saw on Tuesday, May 28.