UPDATE: Transition panel invites world leaders to Tinubu’s inauguration

Ahead of the May 29 handover ceremony to the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, and the Vice President-elect, Kashim Shettima, letters have been sent to leaders across the globe, The PUNCH has learnt.

The President, Major Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on February 7, signed Executive Order No. 14 of 2023 on the Facilitation and Management of Presidential Transitions, which led to the inauguration of the council headed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.

On March 29, while stating that the election petitions tribunal would not stop the handover to Tinubu, the SGF said the refurbishment of offices for the President and Vice-President-elect had been completed.

On Saturday, the Chairman of the Council and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, disclosed that preparation for the event had reached an advanced stage, adding that various approved events would be held from Monday, May 22.

However, when our correspondent reached out to the Director, Information, Office to the Secretary General of the Federation, Willie Bassey, on Wednesday to know the world leaders invited to the event, he said all the leaders had been invited through their embassies in Nigeria.

He said, “Letters have gone to high commissions in Nigeria inviting all their leaders to attend the inauguration ceremony.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission had on March 1 presented Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress with Certificate of Return after declaring him winner of the February 25 presidential election.

The election outcome is, however, being challenged by the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party and Labour Party, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, respectively, who came second and third, respectively.