The United States (US), European Union (EU) and United Kingdom (UK) leaders were absent Wednesday as Nigeria celebrated her Democracy Day, Igbere TV reports.
Igbere TV reports that Buhari, who won a disputed 2019 presidential election, named June 12 as the new democracy day, thereby renaming May 29 as handover day with no public holiday.
Today’s democracy day was held at the Eagle Square, Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
Our correspondent observed that many world leaders were absent at the venue of the event.
But many African leaders joined President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as well as President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan and House of Representatives Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila at the inaugural ceremony of the Democracy Day.
Buhari began the celebration, holding at the Eagles Square, Abuja with the inspection of Guards on Parade.
Foreign dignitaries at the event also included Presidents of Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Namibia, Niger, Congo, Liberia, Gambia and Guinea Bisau.
Others are the Vice Presidents of South Sudan, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Egypt, representatives of Presidents of Benin Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Czech Republic, France, Ireland, Japan, Mali, Kenya, Morroco, Malawi and Belgium,
The acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Inspector General of Police and other heads of security agencies were also present at the Eagle Square.
Those also in attendance included the All Progressive Congress national leader, Bola Tinubu and governors of Kano, Kogi, Yobe, Kwara, Kebbi, Ekiti, Kaduna and Anambra states.