A Pan-Yoruba group, Afenifere, has joined a cross section of Nigerians condemning President Muhammadu Buhari’s letter to the Senate on his medical vacation, describing Osinbajo as coordinator.
Speaking through its National Publicity Secretary, Yinka Odumakin, the group said that the development is not healthy for Nigeria’s democracy.
The President of Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Shettima Yerima also noted that the situation may lead to a constitutional crisis.
The content read by President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, at the plenary on Tuesday May 9 is as follows:
“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. 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.”
Afenifere, stated that the letter showed disrespect to the Office of the President. National Publicity Secretary, Yinka Odumakin said:
“If on this occasion the President has written to the Senate to say that while away, the Vice President will perform the functions of his office and he now says that the Vice President will coordinate the activities of government, what the letter is saying is that they have deregulated the office of the President.”
“It means that everybody will be doing his own thing, Osinbajo will do what is brought to his table, the Chief of Staff will do what is brought to his table. That is not healthy for our democracy, it is dangerous.
“It is a bad signal and the constitution is very clear, that infraction is atrocious. I think there is a kind of a hegemonous threat on the acting presidency of Osinbajo by that infraction.”