Buhari to get handover note, tour Villa May 28

The President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, will get his handover notes from President Goodluck Jonathan on May 28, 2015.

He will also be conducted round the Presidential Villa, Abuja, alongside the Vice President-elect, Yemi Osibajo, by the outgoing President on the same day.

These were parts of the transition programmes that were approved on Tuesday at a meeting of the Council of State, presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State and Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State briefed State House correspondents at the end of the meeting.

Aliyu said the Council approved a template that will henceforth be used during subsequent transition programmes in the country.

He said the process leading to the takeover of government by Buhari would commence with a Jumat service that would be held on Friday, May 22, adding that a church service would be held on Sunday, May 24.

He did not give details of where the services would hold. However, national Islamic events are held inside the National Mosque, Abuja, while national Christian events hold inside the National Christian Centre.

The governor said a Presidential dinner would be held on May 28, during which the handover notes prepared by Ministries, Departments and Agencies would be presented to Buhari.

According to him, Jonathan would also conduct Buhari and Osibajo round offices and strategic places in the Presidential Villa on the same day.

He said, “The sitting and the incoming government both selected their transition teams with their terms of reference.

“But both teams have almost become one because of the interface, so that every detail that is required in governance, nothing will be new to the incoming government.

“Every Ministry, Department and Agency that has worked for government, including all the funds that have been collected, how they have been utilised and the assets and the liabilities of government will all be put together in documents and be handed over to the incoming government.

“Officially, the document will be handed over on May 28.”

He added that apart from the President’s inauguration, a presidential luncheon and gala night would hold on May 29.

For the inauguration, Aliyu said leaders of all African countries, as well as Presidents and Prime Ministers of G8, had been invited for the inauguration.

He said invitations had also been extended to heads of international organisations, like the United Nations, Commonwealth, ECOWAS and African Union.

He said the council warned against “African time syndrome”, whereas guests would arrive earlier than those who invited them.

He added that during the meeting, a former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, moved a motion that Jonathan be thanked for his contribution to national development.

He said while Gowon lauded Jonathan for conceding victory in the last election, he also commended Buhari for being magnanimous in victory.

He said the actions of the two leaders had succeeded in stopping the tension witnessed in the country ahead of the elections.

Suswam, on his part, said the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), delivered a comprehensive presentation on security situation in the country, especially the successes being recorded against Boko Haram, to the council.

He said the NSA assured council members that with the feat being achieved by the nation’s troops, the incoming government would not be contending with insurgency.

He quoted Dasuki as saying that before May 29, Sambisa Forest would be properly combed and the insurgents’ camps annihilated.

He added that the NSA told the council that it took a while to win the war because since civil war, the country had not witnessed such a security challenge.

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