Vice President Yemi Osinbajo thanked Senate President Bukola Saraki jocularly on Wednesday for not taking advantage of the vacuum in power before the inauguration of the presidency.
Mr Osinbajo said this at a dinner at the State House Banquet Hall, organized in honor of President Muhammadu Buhari and himself.
Messrs Buhari and Osinbajo had earlier in the day been sworn-in for a second term in office by the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Tanko Muhammad.
The president, who is scheduled to leave on May 30 for an OIC summit for Makkah, Saudi Arabia, was represented by the vice president at the dinner.
“Earlier today, something interesting happened ; I am a lawyer and teacher of law, and I like to test and question legal scenarios.
“Today, at one minute past midnight, the President’s four-year term and I ended with time efflux.
“So, there was no president or vice president from a minute past 12 last night, May 29 to about 10:30 am when we were sworn in for a second term.
“Interestingly nothing went wrong, everything was all right ; it is the President of the Senate who acts as President when such a situation arises.
“So, when I arrived this morning at Eagle Square, some might have noticed that the president of the Senate and I enjoyed a joke.
“He said to me jokingly `you better be careful you know I am the acting President now’; so, we thank the Senate President for not doing anything funny.’’
The vice president said the beauty of democracy was the orderly and civilized transition process and, more importantly, the sanctity and respect for the people’s will and choice.
He said that on February 23, the Nigerian people freely made a choice to re-elect Mr Buhari for a second term in office.
Mr Osinbajo said it was a choice that was celebrated with pomp and pageantry earlier in the day.
He expressed gratitude to God and Nigerians for trusting the administration yet again as that trust would not be betrayed.
“And so on behalf of the President, please accept our deepest gratitude for your support and presence here this evening.
“The best years of Nigeria begin today, and by the Grace of God all of us will live to enjoy the coming years and many more,’’ he said.
In his address, Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), said the inauguration was the official commencement of a new mandate given to the President by Nigerians.
He said that the new mandate was a reflection of the confidence Nigerians had in the administration.
Mr Mustapha said the inauguration marked the beginning of the journey to the Next Level and consolidate on the foundation laid in the last four years.
He solicited the support of every Nigerian including the opposition for the administration in moving Nigeria forward.
In a toast, the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, said that Nigeria had a peaceful and successful general election.
He said it was only in peaceful environment that sustainable development could be achieved.
Mr Oshiomhole said the celebration was for all Nigerians not just for APC.
The dinner attracted former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, service chiefs, Head of Civil Service of the Federation, members of the National Assembly, APC chieftains, members of the diplomatic corps and captains of industry.
