The content of President Muhammadu Buhari’s letter to the Senate, notifying the Lawmakers of his intention to travel to the United Kingdom, UK, for a follow up medical leave, failed to recognize Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, as the Acting President.
The President’s letter, sparked another round of controversy in the Upper Legislative Chamber, on Tuesday, as the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, read the letter at Tuesday’s plenary.
Buhari in his letter said: “Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, would coordinate government’s affairs”, while he is away.
Unlike the previous letter Buhari had written to the Senate, transmitting Presidential powers to his Vice, Osinbajo, as Acting President, this particular letter failed to do so and tactically avoided the term ‘Acting President’.
After reading the letter to the Senators, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, said the letter did not say anything.
The Senator argued that, “there is no provision for coordinating Vice President in the Constitution.”
However, Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan, countered that the letter quoted section 145 of the Constitution. The section that gives the Vice President power to act in the absence of the President.
The Senate President nevertheless, overruled Ohuabunwa’s argument.
