The Presidency has said debunked reports that the Federal Government is considering shifting the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari for second term from May 29 to June 12.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, made the clarification in an interview with newsmen correspondent on Sunday.
According to some media reports last week, which claimed that Buhari would be inaugurated on June 12, the day the government has declared as the country’s new Democracy Day.
However, Shehu explained that the President’s was inaugurated for his first term on May 29, 2015 and as such the expiration of the four years ends on May 29, 2019.
He noted that the Presidency would soon issue a statement on the matter, adding that those who were behind the reports were only attempting to cause confusion in the polity.
“There is no truth in that report. As a matter of fact, we will soon issue a statement on it to clear the air.
“The President was inaugurated for his first term in office on May 29, 2015. He ceases to be President on May 29, 2019, if he is not inaugurated for his second term on that day.
“For the avoidance of doubt, there is no plan to shift the President’s inauguration to June 12. The inauguration will hold on May 29. Those claiming that the inauguration will be shifted to June 12 are only trying to cause confusion in the polity. It is not true,” he said.
Recall that Buhari had last year changed the nation’s Democracy Day from May 29 to June 12 of every year.
A bill he sent to the National Assembly to amend the nation’s Public Holidays Act had since been passed into law.
The declaration was part of the decision taken to honour the winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola.