TheCable

The federal government has declared May 29 work free to commemorate the inauguration of the president-elect.

Rauf Aregbesola, minister of interior, made the declaration on Friday.

Bola Tinubu, president-elect, and Kashim Shettima, vice president-elect, will be sworn in on May 29 and begin a new administration.

According to a statement by Shuaib Belgore, the ministry’s permanent secretary, Aregbesola called on Nigerians to continue to support and promote democracy through adherence to the rule of law and uphold all democratic institutions.

The minister also commended Nigerians for their faith in democracy as expressed in the nationwide election that produced the president and his vice.

”Democracy anywhere is an unfinished business and the only way it can keep developing and serve its end of being the vehicle to good governance and the welfare of all the people is by adhering to its tenets of rule of law, support for democratic institutions, promotion of free and responsible press and advancement of the frontiers of freedom for all the people,” Aregbesola was quoted as saying.

The statement said the minister also charged Nigerians to shun any form of violence and assured that the nation would attain greatness in all facets of human development.

“Ogbeni Aregbesola urges Nigerians also to continue to promote ideals of peaceful coexistence and love for our neighbours, noting that we can only practice democracy and enjoy its dividends in a peaceful environment,” the statement reads.

“The minister commends all Nigerians for their strident efforts at achieving an unbroken civilian rule and successful change of governments since 1999.

“He urges them to support and cooperate with the coming administration, arguing that the unbounded energy of the people is the nation’s greatest strength and will take the nation to its greatest height when it is positively deployed in its service.”