By Terfa Naswem
Yesterday the Nigerian Senate passed the Presidential Inauguration Bill and its good we understand some of the reasons why this Bill was
passed.
Advanced democracies particularly those that practice the Presidential System of Government such as the United States of America conduct their presidential inauguration ceremonies at their Legislative Houses.
Conducting the ceremonies there is very symbolic and important because the National legislative assemblies are the bastions of democracy and places of the people.
In Nigeria’s case, presidential inaugurations thus far have taken place at the Eagle Square which is a parade ground. This is a practice that was instituted by the Military. A parade ground has military symbolism but no meaningful democratic symbolism hence the need to return the Presidential Inauguration Ceremonies to the rightful place, the National Assembly where every Nigerian has a representative.
If you have been to the NASS complex, you must have noticed a large square in front of the main chambers building or the building commonly referred to as the ‘White House’ within the Assembly. It is similar to the West front of the United States Capitol, the home of the United States Congress where Presidents take their oath of office.
That Square is the people’s square. At the top of the Square is a Podium. One of the functions of that Podium is for presidential inauguration ceremonies such as the Swearing-in of the President of Nigeria but that square has never been used for that purpose despite its important symbolism.
Consequently, the Senate in order to address this anomaly passed the Presidential Inauguration Bill that returns the activities of Presidential Inauguration to the NASS.
The Bill was sponsored by the Deputy Senate President, Sen Ike Ekweremadu.
Every lover of modern democracy looks forward to the Bill being assented by Mr President in the spirit of its symbolism.
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