Leadership (Abuja)
George Agba, Ezra Ijioma, Ahuraka Yusuf Isah And Hauwa Mahmud Kolo
28 May 2011
Abuja — No fewer than 50 heads of state and governments are expected to be in attendance at Sunday’s inauguration of President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja.
The director of protocol, Alhaji Muntari Kaita, made the information known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the Presidential Wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Friday.
This development came just as the United States President Barack Obama said that he would send a delegation to attend the event.
Kaita added that more than 24 heads of governments and representatives would arrive in the country today, beginning from 6 a.m.
He said the Presidential sub-committee on Aviation, headed by Capt. Mohammed Iyal, had concluded arrangements for receiving dignitaries ahead of the inauguration.
Kaita said that a combined team of security personnel had been drafted from the armed forces and other security agencies to ensure maximum security at the airport.
He said the surroundings of the airport were under a 24-hour surveillance by security personnel.
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom has confirmed that it will send a delegation to the inauguration of Jonathan in Abuja tomorrow.
Our correspondent also gathered that the UK government would be represented by its minister for Africa, Mr. Henry Bellingham.
Bellingham is a member of the parliament representing North West Norfolk since 2001, having represented the same constituency from 1983 to 1997. He is currently a Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
In a statement from the British High Commission and made available to LEADERSHIP WEEKEND, Bellingham said, “It is almost 12 years since Nigeria witnessed a smooth transition to civilian government. Nigeria’s elections in 2011 have been significantly more credible than those in previous years.
“Nigeria now has the potential to lead true democratic development in Africa. I congratulate the people of Nigeria and look forward to attending the inauguration of President Goodluck Jonathan.”
Meanwhile Obama has said that the assistant secretary of state for African affairs, Mr. Johnnie Carson would lead the US delegation to Jonathan’s inauguration.
A statement from the office of the press secretary to the US president reads in part: “President Barack Obama today (yesterday) announced the designation of a presidential delegation to the Federal Republic of Nigeria to attend the inauguration of His Excellency Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on May 29, 2011.
“The Honourable Johnnie Carson, assistant secretary of state for African affairs, Department of State, will lead the delegation.”
Also owners of hotels in Abuja and its suburbs have been fully booked ahead of Jonathan’s inauguration.
LEADERSHIP WEEKEND checks reveal advanced reservations in all hotels within the nation’s capital have been fully made ahead of the inauguration ceremony.
The development came just as the security situation in the FCT has crippled human and vehicular traffic as security operatives have cordoned all outlets in strategic places, particularly roads and pedestrians leading to the venue of the event.
As at yesterday, the venue of the inaugural ceremony had already been taken over traders, food sellers and children hawking their wares. Traffic wardens were also said to have had an arduous task maintaining flow of traffic, while creating new diversions to ensure smooth sailing movement.
The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) at the Court of Appeal in Abuja yesterday struck out an application by the Hope Democratic Party (HDP) asking the tribunal to restrain Jonathan from presenting himself for inauguration on May 29 pending the determination of its main suit.
The HDP had filed the petition to challenge Jonathan’s declaration by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as a winner of April 16 presidential election.
The tribunal also ordered the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) to substantiate with facts to make clear the allegations raised against Jonathan’s election on April 16.
Meanwhile, the corps marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Osita Chidoka, has urged motorists in Abuja to avoid plying the Central Business District for the next three days.
Chidoka, who stated this yesterday, at the Eagle Square after an inspection tour round the special patrol units deployed to ensure a hitch free inauguration, urging motorists to take alternative routes to wherever they want to go for the time being.
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Dozens of Heads of State to Attend Inauguration