The handing over process to the incoming administration May 29 has commenced in earnest courtesy of a Presidential Transition Council (PTC) put in place by President Muhammadu Buhari.
To institutionalise this process, the president signed the Executive Order No. 14 of 2023 on the Facilitation and Management of the Presidential Transitions.
A key feature of the Executive Order 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.
The development is coming some s16 days to the 2023 general elections during which the president assured of a free, fair and credible polls.
Announcing the council in a statement, Thursday, Director of Information in the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Mr. Willie Bassey, said the PTC is chaired by the SGF, Mr. Boss Mustapha while the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Folashade Yemi-Esan and Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Justice would serve as members.
Other members of the council are 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.
The rest include 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.
The rest are 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.
NUC orders closure of varsities
In a related development, the National Universities Commission (NUC) Thursday ordered the closure of universities in the country to enable students participate in the 2023 general elections.
The NUC stated that the development was based on the directive of the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu.
The letter addressed to vice-chancellors of all universities and directors of inter-university centers reads: “As Vice-Chancellors of all Universities and Director/Chief Executive of Inter-University Centres are quite aware, the 2023 General Elections have been scheduled to hold on Saturday, February 25, 2023, for the Presidential and National Assembly, and Saturday, March 11, 2023, for gubernatorial and state assembly, respectively.
“In view of the foregoing and concerns expressed on the security of staff, students and properties of our respective institutions, the Minister of Education, Malam Adama Adamu, has following extensive consultations with the relevant security agencies, directed that all universities and Inter-University Centres be shut down and academic activities be suspended between February 22 and March 14, 2023.
“Consequently, vice-chancellors and chief executives of inter-university centres, are by this circular requested to shut down their respective institutions from Wednesday 22nd February, 2023 to Tuesday 14th March 2023.”
“Please, accept the renewed assurances of the Executive Secretary’s highest regard for your understanding and unwavering cooperation.”