News
It’s rubbish to say Buhari won’t return on May 5 –Presidency
The Presidency has dismissed suggestions President Muhammadu Buhari is undergoing medical treatment in the United Kingdom and may not return on May 5 as originally scheduled .
The President embarked on a 10 – day private visit to the UK on April 25 , saying he would return to the country on May 5 .
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity , Mr Garba Shehu, reacted on Friday when
Saturday PUNCH sought views on the issue .
“ It is rubbish , ” he said .
In another separate electronic mail , Shehu said , “ This story on the President ’ s return is absolutely shameful and disgraceful .
“( It is ) disgusting . ”
However , he did not give additional information on the Buhari ’ s trip.
Earlier on , Saturday PUNCH sought to know whether the President funded the trip from his pocket or the Federal Government did, since it was a private visit .
The paper didn ’ t get responses to the questions , which were asked twice.
Concerns have been raised since April 25 on why Buhari did not write the National Assembly to formally transmit power to Vice – President Yemi Osinbajo to act as President while he is away in compliance with Section 145( 1 ) and ( 2 ) of the 1999 Constitution .
The law provides in 145 ( 1 ) ( 2 ) , “
Whenever the President is proceeding on vacation or is otherwise unable to discharge the functions of his office , he shall transmit a written declaration to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to that effect , and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary , the Vice -President shall perform the functions of the President as Acting President. ”
Buhari did not comply with the provision .
But , the Presidency defended him , saying so long as he would not stay in London for 21 days or more , no constitutional breach had taken place yet .
Shehu insisted it was not necessary for Buhari to write the National Assembly.
He said , “ No , that is not necessary .
“ The President can exercise authority from wherever he is as he is currently doing .
“ This is a relatively short absence . If you check Section 145( 1 ) and ( 2 ) of the constitution, you will see that the law is only infringed when such absence extends to 21 days . ”
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