Nigeria’s ex-Presidents shun inaugural June 12 Democracy Day celebration

Olusegun Obasanjo

All Nigeria’s former Presidents including Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan failed to attend the June 12 Democracy Day celebration which held on Wednesday at the Eagle Square, Abuja.

Yakubu Gowon, who was present at the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term, missed the ceremony on Wednesday.

Former heads of state, Abdulsalami Abubakar and Ibrahim Babangida, as well as former interim president, Ernest Shonekan, were absent at the celebration.

The former presidents and heads of state were scheduled to be seated at the venue of the event at 9:35 a.m., but they were absent at about 10:06 am when Mr Buhari arrived the venue.

World leaders who attended include President Mohamed Abdel Aziz of Mauritania, President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, President George Weah of Liberia, President Denis Nguesso of Congo, and President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana.

Others are President Macky Sall of Senegal, President Adama Barrow of Gambia, President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger Republic, President José Mário Gómes Vaz of Guinea-Bissau, and President Patrice Talon of Benin Republic.

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo as well as Senate President Ahmad Lawan and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, were in attendance.