Alleged constitutional conflict: Buhari gets 2-week ultimatum to return to Nigeria

A group operating under the umbrella of Concerned Nigerians has asked the Buhari-led administration to brace up for mass protests if by March 18, ailing President Muhammadu Buhari does not return to Nigeria from U.K. where he has been on medical vacation since January 19.

It hinged its proposed action on alleged “constitutional dilemma capable of destabilising the country.”
Signed by one Deji Adeyanju, the group’s statement read as follows:
“Today – March 4th, 2017 – marks 45 days of President Muhammadu Buhari’s absence from his office as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and from the country as a whole on a medical vacation in the United Kingdom. During this period, he has not made any public appearances and has only clandestinely “communicated” with very few people.

“Furthermore, details of President Buhari’s health status have been kept away from the generality of Nigerians while his media team and other members of his cabinet/party make conflicting comments regarding his health.

“We acknowledge that during this period President Buhari has satisfied constitutional requirements by transmitting letters to the National Assembly handing power over to his Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, on an acting capacity.

“However, during this period President Buhari has created a constitutional dilemma by carrying out official functions. On February 13, 2018 in a capacity as President of Nigeria, he spoke to President Donald Trump of the United States with respect to bilateral relations between the two countries.

“On Thursday March 2nd, 2017 again in a capacity as President of Nigeria President Buhari spoke to the King of Morocco with respect to bilateral relations between the two countries as well as Morocco’s application to become a member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

“These actions, as well as President Buhari’s continued vacation, constitute a constitutional dilemma capable of destabilising the country. President Buhari’s insistence on performing the functions of President after having transmitted power to Ag. President Osinbajo in effect creates de-facto and de-jure, which does not bode well for the country.

“To this end, we urge President Buhari to return to the country on or before the 60th day after which he left the country (15 days from today) failing which we will begin a series of peaceful processions across the country aimed at sensitizing the public as to the legal & constitutional dilemma created by President Buhari’s continued absence from office and his insistence on performing official functions while away.”

The fresh ultimatum comes on the heels of an earlier one issued by Save Nigeria Group (SGN) which called on the Presidency, through the office of Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) to within 74 hours disclose to Nigerians what was ailing President Muhammadu Buhari.

In its February 8 letter, entitled “Request for information on President Muhammadu Buhari’s health status” SNG threatened to take all necessary legitimate and legal steps should their request be ignored.

Read also: Buhari not the issue, Oyegun says, as APC governors gather

The letter signed by Barrister Benedict Ezeagu, the National Coordinator, SNG, noted among others, that “This ugly development, including denial, conditional admission and restriction of access to President Buhari and the true information on his health status is reminiscence of the late President Yar’Adua’s incident which our revered organisation was at the forefront of its peaceful resolution and this is not good for Nigeria at this critical period of economic downturn , nationwide insecurity, and political strife.”

It argued that, “Since Mr. President is not a private citizen but a public servant whose health bills are currently being paid from the country’s treasury, Nigerians deserve the right to know the true state of his health as obtainable in enlightened republics.

“… we herby demand for full information on the health status of President Muhammadu Buhari in exercise of the rights granted us by section 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, the freedom of information Act and Article 9 of African charter on Human and people’s rights, as this will help dispel these rumours and speculations and reduce the current political tension in the country.”

Urging the AGF to make haste with their demand, the group said, “Please sir, take notice that if we are not availed of the requested information within 74 hours of your receipt of this letter, we will have no alternative than to take all other necessary legitimate and legal steps, including approaching the National Assembly to activate relevant sections of the Constitution with regard to the health of a Nigerian president as well as institute court actions and organise peaceful protests among others, to ensure that we are availed of these rights guaranteed Nigerians by the laws.”
The SNG ultimatum has since expired without any signs that the group may have proceeded with its threats.

Recall that the SNG was among the several groups that led the popular push to have the then Vice President Goodluck Jonathan to be made substantive Head of State when it became rather too obvious that ailing President Musa Yar’Adua would not be fit to return to power.

Deji Adeyanju, who leads the Concerned Nigerians group has been identified as one time Director of New Media of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

 

Ripples Nigeria… without borders, without fears

Click here to download the Ripples Nigeria App for latest updates

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now