I’ve run a good race, it’s now time to pass the baton – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has conferred the national honours of Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR) and the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) on the President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Vice President-elect, Senator Kashim Shettima, respectively.

The investiture of national honours, which took place at the State House Conference Center, Presidential Villa, Abuja, was part of the programme of events of the 2023 Presidential Inauguration Ceremony.

President Buhari also performed the Handover of Transition Documents as well as symbolically transferred the Baton of Service to the President-elect, Tinubu.

Speaking at the event, President Buhari again expressed confidence that with the President-elect in charge, Nigeria is in safe hands.

He also said he has run a good race, finish the fight and is now time for him to pass the baton, urging Tinubu not to forget that leadership comes with enormous responsibility.

Meanwhile President-Elect, Tinubu, has stated that he understands the honour given to him and his Vice President-elect and the magnitude of the task ahead, and told President Buhari whether he goes to Daura or Niger Republic, he should expect knocks on his doors.

“I understand the honour given to me today and the magnitude of the task ahead, whether you go to Daura or Niger Republic, expect knocks on your doors.”

Before the investiture ceremony, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, who is also the Chairman of the Presidential Transition Council (PTC), gave a detailed briefing on the transmitted Transition Documents, which he said included three documents.

Meanwhile, the guests in their hundreds, including members of the diplomatic corps, braced the State House snail-speed security checks on the roads traversing from the Federal Secretariat and Fire Service routes, to witness the epoch making conferment being witnessed by many in the hall filled to capacity.