BEVERLY HILLS, May 10, (THEWILL) – The Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed has described the uproar generated by President Muhammadu Buhari’s letter to the National Assembly, which termed Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as the “coordinator” of activities of the federal government in his absence as a needless distraction.
THEWILL recalls that Buhari, who left Abuja for London on Sunday night to attend to his health, had written to the National Assembly, informing them of his trip and made reference to Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“In compliance with Section 145 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), I wish to inform the distinguished Senate that I will be away for a scheduled medical follow-up with my doctors in London,” Buhari’s letter, read by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, stated.
“The length of my stay will be determined by the doctor’s advice.
“While I am away, the Vice President will coordinate the activities of the government. Please accept, the distinguished Senate President, the assurances of my highest consideration.”
But a Senator from Abia State, Moa Ohuabunwa picked holes with the letter, saying that the wordings used by Buhari merely made Osinbajo a “coordinating” Vice President instead of Acting President.
The development had incidentally generated concerns from many quarters with many people arguing for and against.
But reacting to the arguments, Mohammed while briefing State House correspondents at the end of the meeting of the Federal Executive Council, FEC presided by Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Wednesday said that they were unnecessary.
“It’s a needless controversy. It’s just a distraction. The operating sentence is that in compliance of section 145(1), any other word used is not relevant”, he simply said.
The section reads:
“Whenever the President transmits to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a written declaration that he is proceeding on vacation or that he is otherwise unable to discharge the functions of his office, until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary such functions shall be discharged by the Vice-President as Acting President.”
