Obasanjo absent, Jonathan, Gowon present as Tinubu, Shettima sworn in as President, VP

Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola has sworn in Bola Tinubu as president of Nigeria and Kashim Shettima as vice president.

Justice Ariwoola administered the oath of office on Tinubu and Shettima at Eagles Square in Abuja on Monday.

The swearing in ceremony was witnessed by Tinubu’s predecessors including Muhammadu Buhari and Goodluck Jonathan. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who supported Labour Party candidate Peter Obi during the election was absent.

Tinubu’s wife, Remi; Shettima’s wife, Nana as well as Buhari’s wife, Aisha also witnessed the oath-taking ceremony.

African leaders at the historic event include the Prime Minister of Gabon, Billy By-Nze, President of the Republic of Cote D’Ivoire, Alassane Ouattara; Ghana President, Nana Akufo-Addo; and Rwanda President, Paul Kagame.

Also at the venue of the inauguration ground were dignitaries including president of the African Development Bank Akinwumi Adesina, Aliko Dangote, Femi Otedola, Abdulsamad Rabiu, and Jim Ovia.

Others present include service chiefs, heads of security agencies, governors, former governors, serving and former ministers as well as chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Tinubu polled 8,794,726 votes to defeat fellow contenders – Atiku Abubakar of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) who polled 6,984,520 votes, Labour Party’s Peter Obi had 6,101,533 votes to come third and candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) Rabiu Kwankwaso with 1,496,687 votes.

Atiku, PDP, Obi and the Labour Party are in court, challenging the victory of Tinubu in the election.

(Guardian)