By Abimbola Ogunnaike
Ahead of the inauguration of the president-elect, Bola Tinubu, on May 29, 2023, the presidency has revealed that Nigeria’s seat of power, Aso Rock is currently being renovated.
The concrete perimeter fence encompassing the President’s office, official residence, the Council Chamber, press gallery, as well as other administrative offices was being overlaid with new white and green paints.
The Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari, Mallam Garba Shehu disclosed this on Friday, 5 May, 2023 via his twitter account
Sharing picture via Twitter, he wrote, “Painter at work. Villa wearing a new look for the incoming President.”
The President-elect will move from the Defence Guest House into Aso Rock Presidential Villa immediately after his swearing-in ceremony later this month.
Tinubu will become the eighth Nigerian leader to rule from the new presidential palace.
The maintenance was part of the tasks carried out by the Presidential Transition Council chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.
Months earlier, the management had carried out a routine upgrade of card readers and installed barricades in areas, which were once freeways.
On 14 February, 2023, the Federal Government inaugurated the 22-member Presidential Transition Council ahead of the handover to the incoming government.
The committee comprises Cabinet Affairs, General Service Affairs, Economic and Political Affairs, Office of the SGF and State House permanent secretaries, as well as the National Security Adviser, among others.
In April, the President-elect nominated 14 more persons to join the transition council.
Since 2016, N3.05 billion has been earmarked for “maintenance services” at the State House. These include: maintenance of office furniture, office buildings and residential quarters, among others.
