BY Dyepkazah Shibayan
Mao Ohuabunwa, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senator, says there is ambiguity in the letter which President Muhammadu Buhari sent to the senate to inform it that he had transferred power to Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.
Before leaving the country on Sunday night, Buhari sent a letter to both chambers of the national assembly.
He also hosted Senate President Bukola Saraki and Yakubu Dogara, speaker of the house of representatives, at the presidential villa in Abuja.
On Tuesday, Saraki read Buhari’s letter at plenary.
“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 doctors’ advice,” the letter by the President read.
“While I am away, the vice-president will coordinate the activities of the government.”
But citing section 145 of the constitution, Ohuabunwa said for the sake of clarity, the letter should be sent back to the president.
He argued that there was no word like coordinating president or vice-president in the constitution.
“I come with a constitutional point of order arising from the letter you just read from the president,” he said.
“Mr President I don’t think in our constitution we have anything like coordinating president of vice-president, it’s either you are a vice-president or you are acting president.
“Any letter should be unambiguous and very clear, so I’m saying that this letter really does not convey anything because coordinating has no place in our constitution. We having been having letters like this, you tell us he is the acting president so we know who to deal with as a senate.
“I am saying that this letter for me is not right and maybe it should be sent back.”
Ahmed Lawan, senate leader, said the wording of the letter was irrelevant because Buhari had done what was required of him by the constitution.
On this note, Saraki ruled Ohuabunwa out of order.
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