Buhari’s Free To Perform Presidential Functions Anywhere – Presidency

BY HENRY EMEKA, ABUJA –  Against growing criticism from some sections of Nigerians as to the propriety of President Muhammadu Buhari signing bill into law as was recently done in London, the President on Wednesday said the president has done nothing wrong in not transmitting a letter to the National Assembly that would allow Vice President Yemi Osinbajo act as President.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Babajide Omoworare, categorically declared that the President did not undermine the office of Vice President by travelling without transmitting a letter that would allow him to act, to the National Assembly.

The presidential aide who addressed journalists in Abuja alongside his colleague in the House of Representatives, Mr. Umar El-Yakub, said the President was free to perform his functions from anywhere in the world.

According to him, “Contrary to the claims by some individuals and groups, the President has not in any way undermined or relegated the office of the Vice President. He has no reason to do so. I don’t think there is any way or manner that the office of the Vice President has been relegated. The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria can work from anywhere he is in the world.”

The only ground the absence of the President from a country could raise issues is when a President is ill and was unable to communicate his absence to the National Assembly.

“The only celebrated case was that of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who was Ill and could not transmit any letter to the National Assembly. The National Assembly had to work round the situation by ensuring that the executive powers go to the vice president,” Omoworare said.