In a swift rebuttal to earlier claims, the Presidency has refuted reports suggesting that President Bola Tinubu was slated to address a joint sitting of the National Assembly on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, to mark the first anniversary of his administration.
Issuing a statement on Tuesday night, President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, categorically dismissed the notion, labelling it as “false and unauthorized.”
Ngelale emphasized: “In view of public commentary concerning the President delivering a speech before a Joint Sitting of the National Assembly tomorrow, May 29, 2024, it is important to state that this information is false and unauthorized as the Office of the President was not involved in the planning of the event.”
The statement comes in the wake of earlier assertions by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, who had indicated that President Tinubu would not be delivering a nationwide broadcast on his anniversary.
Instead, Onanuga outlined plans for Tinubu to address a joint session of the National Assembly, commemorating 25 years of Nigeria’s democratic journey.
According to Onanuga, Tinubu’s address would highlight the achievements of his administration and the trajectory of 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 Center, now to be known as Bola Ahmed Tinubu Building,” Onanuga had said.
Earlier, FirstNews had reported the statement by Onanuga, however, the official spokesperson of President Tinubu has faulted the claims.
With conflicting reports circulating, the denial from the Presidency adds another layer of complexity to the unfolding narrative, casting doubt on the planned engagement between Tinubu and the National Assembly.
As tensions simmer amidst conflicting statements, the spotlight remains on the scheduled commemoration and the evolving dynamics within Nigeria’s political landscape.