Elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, has chided President Muhammadu Buhari over his refusal to transmit powers to his Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo before embarking on his 2-week routine medical trip to the United Kingdom.
Chief Clark in an interview on Arise TV on Thursday, 3rd November 2022, stated that it is required by law for President Buhari to write a letter to both heads of the two chambers of the National Assembly transmitting presidential powers to his vice before proceeding on the trip.
He took a further swipe at the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, saying due to his party affiliations with the President he turned a blind eye.
Chief Clark said, “ But if he (Buhari) had given powers to this Vice, his vice will perform the duties of Mr President while he’s away.
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“Those who made the constitution presumed that there must be no vacuum when Mr president is away from Nigeria. That was why section 145 was established in constitution.
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“What Section 145 says is that the president shall transmit to the National Assembly, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, whenever he will be away on medical vacation.
“Mr President has been going to Britain in a casual way as if he’s not the president of Nigeria
“For Buhari to casually travel from Owerri, we heard it as breaking news that our president is now in London for two weeks.
“The National Assembly had to be informed, but since the President of the Senate is in partnership with the president, he saw nothing wrong. They will do anything.
“In America, Joe Biden was going for a check-up for 3 hours and he handed over to Kamala Harris.