President Muhammadu Buhari’s letter to the National Assembly informing the
Parliament of his medical vacation in London on Tuesday caused a brief
drama.
This is coming about forty eight hours after the President traveled to the
United Kingdom (UK) to see his doctors.
Trouble started when Senator Mao Ohuabunwa (PDP, Abia), raised a point of
order to draw the attention of the Senate to what he described as
deficiencies in the letter addressed by President Buhari.
He said President Buhari was ambiguous in his letter, by claiming that
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will coordinate the activities of the country
in his absence, without stating a time frame.
The senator argued that the letter should be returned to the presidency,
in order to reflect what he said were appropriate requirements captured in
Section 145 of the 1999 constitution (as amended).
Quoting Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) Senator
Ohuabunwa said: “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 is otherwise that he is
unable to discharge the functions of his office until he transmits to them
the written declaration to the contrary, such function shall be discharged
by the Vice President as Acting President.
“Mr President, I do not think in our constitution we have anything like
coordinating President or coordinating Vice President. It is either you
are the Vice President or you are the Acting President and any letter
should be unambiguous and very clear.
“So, I am saying that this letter really does not convey anything because
coordinating has no space or any place in our constitution. We have been
having letters like this. But we need to know who to deal with as a
Senate.
“This is the highest legislative body of any country and if you are
sending us a letter, it should be direct and unambiguous. So, I am saying
that this letter, for me, is not right and should be sent back.”
He was immediately countered by the Senate Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan
(APC, Yobe), who said there was nothing wrong with the letter.
Lawan called on the Senate President, Bukola Saraki to rule Ohuabunwa out
of order, a request quickly obliged.
He said: “Mr President, let me say that the point of order raised by my
colleague and the explanation that subsequently followed should not have
been and my responses are simple.
“I still rely on the first paragraph of that letter which Mr President
wrote to this Senate and read by the President of the Senate. I will read
section 145 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
“Any other word in this letter or indeed anywhere else is irrelevant. I
therefore feel that Mr President has done what the constitution requires
him to do and I urge this Senate not to go ahead to discuss this because
its not an issue. We have the budget and so many other serious issues for
us to discuss and Nigerians are waiting.”
Saraki, in his ruling, said President Buhari acted within the confines of
the law.
Saraki said: “I think it is a very clear issue and what should be guided
by is the constitution and I think that it is clear. The letter has
referred to the constitution and there is no ambiguity in the
constitution. So, I do not think there’s any issue there. Let me first
rule you out of order Senator Mao.”
Saraki, had at about 11.5am formally read the letter of President
Muhammadu Buhari, wherein the former informed the parliament of his long
medical vacation to the United Kingdom (UK).
Saraki, while reading the letter, told his colleagues that the Vice
President , Professor Osinbajo will perform the functions of the President
while he is away.
The letter reads: “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 followup with my doctors in London.
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.”
This is the third time President Buhari has transferred power to Professor
Osinbajo since his inauguration in May 2015.
The first time was on February 5, 2016, when the President embarked on a
five-day vacation.
The second was in June 2016 when Buhari traveled to the UK for treatment
of what the Presidency described as an ear infection.