The Presidency has denied reports that President Bola Tinubu was scheduled to address a joint sitting of the National Assembly on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, marking the first anniversary of his administration.
In a statement issued on Tuesday night by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, the Presidency categorically stated that information about President Tinubu delivering a speech before the a joint session of the 10th National Assembly on May 29 was “false and unauthorized”.
“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 said.
Recall that the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, had earlier on Tuesday said President Tinubu will not give a broadcast to the nation on Wednesday, May 29 to celebrate his first anniversary as the elected President of Nigeria.
Instead, Onanuga said the President will address a joint session of the National Assembly, which has lined up a programme to commemorate 25 years of the nation’s democratic journey at both the executive and legislative levels of government.
He said President Tinubu’s speech will dwell on the achievements of his administration and 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,” he had said.
But, the official spokesperson of President Tinubu has put lie to the claims.
LEADERSHIP earlier reported that President Tinubu will address a special sitting of the National Assembly on May 29 to mark the 25th anniversary of unbroken democratic rule in Nigeria, citing a statement jointly signed by both Spokesmen of the Senate and House of Representatives.