Speaker gives insight into counter statements by Onanuga, Ngelale

***Render apologies for the error

The Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas may have provided an insight in to the confusion among President Bola Tinubu’s spokespersons in their counter statements over the President’s visit to National Assembly on Wednesday to address the joint session.
President Bola Tinubu’s special adviser on media Ajuri Ngelale had stated that the Nigerian leader is not scheduled to address a joint session of the National Assembly on May 29.
Ngelale’s statement on Tuesday contradicted an earlier one issued by Tinubu’s special adviser on information and strategy Bayo Onanuga which indicated otherwise.
According to Ngelale,
“In view of public commentary concerning the President delivering a speech before a Joint Sitting of the National Assembly tomorrow, May 29, 2024, it is important to state that this information is false and unauthorized as the Office of the President was not involved in the planning of the event,”
Even the Clerk to the National Assembly Sani Magaji Tambuwal had issued a statement earlier to confirm Onanuga’s earlier statement on the Joint Sittin of the National Assembly

“This is to inform Distinguished Senators and ay Honourable Members that as part of the event to commemorate 25 years of unbroken democracy and Legislature in Nigeria, there will be joint sitting of both the Senate and the House of Representatives on Wednesday 29 May, 2024. “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, will address the joint sitting on state of the nation and also commission the National Assembly Library. Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members are expected to be seated in the House of Representatives Chamber by 9am.”

However, while the President passed through the National Assembly on Wednesday to officially flag off the New National Anthem: ‘Nigeria we Hail Thee’ the speaker had asked his colleagues and distinguished senators to forgive them for the error.
He clarriffied saying, “By June 12th, all that we have to say about our 25 years of unbroken democracy will come to pass.
He said the President has other commitments. “After the National Assembly engagement, he is supposed to be at the commissioning of the light railway station somewhere in the town, So he might not be able to give any speech, and all the speeches coming from us too are not going to take place because
June 12 is supposed to be the real democracy day, not May 29th.
“It was an error from us and Mr. President has acknowledged our shortcomings in that regard and advised that whatever ceremony we are going to have, whatever speeches we are going to have, should be reserved for June 12.
That will be the day that we will all convene to actualy celebrate democracy.

“I want to especially thank you all for the role you played in ensuring that the National Anthem Act Bill was judiciously and expeditiously passed by both the Senate and the House. And as the Senate President has just mentioned, Mr. President has assented to that particular bill.
“It is now an act. And his presence here today will be largely to symbolize the commencement of the use of the new national anthem.
The senate President Godswill Akpabio said: “Mr President, this is your National Assembly. The Senators and members have asked me to congratulate you on your first anniversary since you swearing-in into office. Congratulations, Sir.
“Before you came, myself and my brother, Tajudeen Abbas, explained the purpose of this visit, that this is what we call in Nollywood: Waka Pass.

“You intend to celebrate Democracy Day, which is June 12th. But out of honour and respect for the National Assembly, you said you must pass through the National Assembly on your first anniversary in office.

“Of all the significant things you have done, I think one of the most profound, is to take us back to the genealogy, the genealogical of our birth, that though we may belong to different tribes, though we may have different tongues, in brotherhood we all stand.

“Henceforth we will not refer to ourselves as mere compatriots, but we will refer to ourselves as brother.

“And as we go forth in battle whether on the field of sports, in the field of politics, in economic endeavors, we must hail Nigeria. And so we are all saying today, Mr. President, Nigeria, We Hail Thee!

“There is no better place to commence this revolution of going back to our genealogy than the National Assembly, made up of patriotic, not just representatives, but elected representatives of the people of Nigeria. The voice of the National Assembly is the voice of Nigeria. So we welcome you.

“On that note, sir, we will allow you to greet your people because of your crowded schedule today and we look forward to celebrating Democracy Day on June 12th with you. You just greet us. You may say a word. You may wave. You may stand up and take a bow, this is your chambers. However you do it ans thereafter we will allow you to your exit while we continue our proceedings. Welcome, Mr. President.”
President Tinubu while launching the new National Anthem admonished Nigerians to join hands together in brotherhood to build the nation as no other person or foreign nation will come to build it for Nigerians.

Speaking on Wednesday at the joint session of the National Assembly when he flagged off the new National Anthem ‘Nigeria we Hail Thee’ he explained that most foreign countries that claim to bring aids to Nigeria take care of themselves first.

“You rang out the latest National Anthem. ‘Nigeria we hail thee, this is our diversity representing all characters and how we blend together to be brothers and sisters.

He thanked the lawmakers for building Nigeria up to its present stage, building the institution building the country. 

“You are first and foremost leaders that speak for our people and you have been in the forefront of this struggle. 

“This institution, the hallowed chamber represent our consciousness for freedom and sense of belonging. 

“Without this House probably I may not have found a path to the Presidency. I started all from here and that is why I have given the respect to you. 

“So continue to collaborate, work together build our country, we have no other choice. It is our nation, no one no aid, no other institution or personality will help us except we do it ourselves. 

“No amount of aids that will come in from foreign countries or any other nation, they take care of themselves first. “Let us work together as we are doingto build our nation, not only for us but for generations yet unborn. “Chatting a new part for development I have submitted the last budget to you, you expeditiously passed it, and we are walking the talk. 

“We will soon bring year 2024 supplementary bill, that is just for your information, but we must not risk this democracy, build this nation so that the future of our great grand children will be sure of prosperity, development and progress

The Senate President said the NASS will be expecting  the 2024