Security has been beefed up as President Bola Tinubu prepares to address a joint sitting of the National Assembly on the state of the nation as Nigeria marks 25 years of unbroken democracy.
A crop of security agents including the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Sergeant at Arms were seen manning the entrances to the complex.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, who is presiding over Wednesday’s session also disclosed that lawmakers were awaiting the president’s arrival.
Our correspondent also sighted the presidential band who are usually part of the president’s entourage at the time of filing this report.
The order of the day sighted by The Guardian also confirmed that the president will visit the NASS complex.
“That the House, pursuant to Order Six, Rule 4(1)(i),(ii), (iii), (iv), (viii) and (ix) of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives, do admit into the Chamber, the President, Commander–In–Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Vice President, Former Heads of State, the President of the Senate, Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Former Presidents of the Senate, Former Senators, Former Speakers, Former Members, Former Clerks to the National Assembly, Ministers, Management Staff of the National Assembly, Government Officials and other Dignitaries to commemorate the 25 years of Unbroken Democracy/Legislature”.
This is coming in spite of the confusion generated by the statements from two presidential spokesmen.
Early on Tuesday, Magaji Tambuwal, clerk of the national assembly, said Tinubu would deliver an address on the “state of the nation” at the joint sitting of the senate and house of representatives.
Tambuwal said the president will also inaugurate the national assembly library.
Hours later, Onanuga, presidential special adviser on information and strategy, corroborated Tambuwal’s statement, noting that Tinubu’s address at the parliament is part of the activities to mark his one year in office.
But Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity Ajuri Ngelale says his principal will not deliver a speech to a joint sitting of the National Assembly.
He described statements by the spokesperson of the Senate Yemi Adaramodu and his House of Representatives counterpart Akin Rotimi (Jr) as well as the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga as false and unauthorised.
