Having been elected on a platform promising economic rejuvenation, combating corruption and eschewing ostentation in high places, General Buhari plans to set an example with a modest ceremony. Chief Timipre Sylva, the chairman of the APC's transition committee, cited the dwindling economy as the reason for the decision.
Chief Sylva said: “There are no challenges, we are planning very well and I think we are going to give Nigerians a compact inauguration. We are not going to be flamboyant as we think that this country cannot afford a flamboyant ceremony at this time because the economy is not in good shape right now.
"We are actually planning to give Nigerians a sanitised and compact event which will be a source of pride to Nigerians. We have not gotten all the confirmations but we have already gotten from some countries."
A former governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Sylva dismissed the insinuation that there may be rift between the incoming and the outgoing government. Of late, Chief Sylva has been arraigned in court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for corruption charges relating to his time in office.
On the allegation that he was carrying corruption baggage and as such was not qualified to be in General Buhari’s cabinet, Chief Sylva expressed shock that his detractors had already convicted him before the court gave its judgement on the matter. He said he was innocent of all the charges, believing that the courts would eventually quash the charges.
Chief Sylva added: "Maybe, those peddling the allegation are the courts and they have already convicted me. We have courts in the land and you know that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is the party of impunity.
"Today if I pick you up and I charge you to court on charges of corruption, does that convict you? It is only the court that can convict you and that is why we have rule of law."
He pointed out that a situation where people just pick you up and say you are corrupt just to persecute you, does not augur well for Nigeria's democracy. Chief Sylva said he has been vindicated politically but will be vindicated by the court because he ran the best government in Bayelsa State.
Chief Sylva asked why they are charging him for an offence while they have discharged his accountant-general and finance commissioner of finance. He added that it means that this is just mere persecution because no governor can access funds unless through his accountant-general or commissioner of finance, pointing out that as both of them have been exonerated, it means there is actually no crime committed.
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