2023 elections: Buhari approves presidential transition council, signs Executive Order No. 14

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the establishment of a Presidential Transition Council to facilitate and manage the 2023 transition programme.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Director of Information in the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Mr Willie Bassey.

The council is chaired by the Secretary to Secretary to the Government of the Federation Mr Boss Mustapha while the Head of Civil Service of the Federation Mrs Folashade Yemi-Esan and the Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Justice would serve as members.

The council is also made up of National Security Adviser, Chief of Defence Staff, Inspector-General of Police, Director-General of National Intelligence Agency and the Director-General of State Security Services.

Other members of the council are the Permanent Secretaries of Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ministry of Information and Culture, Ministry of Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs and the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning.

Others include the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Affairs Office,Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF); Permanent Secretary General Services Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF); Permanent Secretary Economic and Political Affairs Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF); Permanent Secretary of State House; Chief Registrar of Supreme Court of Nigeria; and two representatives to be nominated by the President-elect.

According to the statement, the Transition Council would be inaugurated by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on Tuesday, February 14, 2023.

The statement said members of the council are expected to attend the inauguration in person.

Meanwhile, the President has signed the Executive Order No. 14 of 2023 on the Facilitation and Management of the Presidential Transitions.

A key feature of the Presidential Executive Order No. 14 of 2023 is the institutionalisation of a legal framework that would enable a seamless transition of power from one administration to another which is part of President Buhari’s legacy.