• It’s in order, says Oyegun
• Saraki, Dogara receive notice of resumption
• Mixed reactions to president’s speech
Tobi Soniyi, Segun James, Shola Oyeyipo in Lagos, Omololu Ogunmade, Damilola Oyedele, Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja and Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba
President Muhammadu Buhari, who resumed duties Monday after a 103-day medical vacation abroad, will operate from his official residence until the completion of the renovation of his office, the Presidency said Monday.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Shehu Garba, told THISDAY that the president’s office needed renovation because of its devastation by rodents during the president’s long period of absence.
“Following the three months period of disuse, rodents have caused a lot of damage to the furniture and the air conditioning units,” he said, explaining that it was impossible for his boss to operate from the office in that condition.
Garba, however, said this would not affect the effectiveness of Buhari’s work since the residence has an annex to the office, adding that the president had been carrying out his duties from home since he resumed.
Saying he could not tell when the renovation would be completed, the presidential spokesperson stated that the maintenance company that was seen at work Monday at the Presidential Villa by THISDAY had been asked to speed up its pace of work.
The president had Monday morning met with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and other senior aides, including the Chief of Staff, Mr. Abba Kyari, at his official residence, where he signed a letter informing the National Assembly that he had resumed duties.
The president’s decision to work from home got a nod from the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie Oyegun, who said it was in order, explaining that what was important was that the president would do his job.
“What is important is that the job gets done. Whether he does it from his bedroom, or his sitting room, or his ante room, it does not matter. Let the job be done. And the job will be done,” he told ARISE TV, a THISDAY Newspaper sister broadcast network, Monday.
The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, in separate statements Monday acknowledged receipt of the letter from the president.
“I have received a letter from President Muhammadu Buhari informing the Senate that he has returned to the country. I have also acknowledged the letter,” Saraki tweeted on his twitter handle @SPNigeria.
The letter, said the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, was in fulfilment of section145 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which provides: “Whenever the President transmits to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, a written declaration that he is proceeding on vacation, or that he is otherwise unable to discharge the functions of his office, until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary such functions shall be discharged by the Vice-President as Acting President.”
Nigerians React to President’s Speech
Meanwhile, mixed reactions have trailed the president’s address to the nation.
While the president’s supporters and party members welcomed it as apt, addressing the basic issues affecting the country, others, mostly opposition party members and social critics, described it as uninspiring.
ALSO READ - BUHARI MAY RETURN TO UK
APC National Chairman, Oyegun, said the president’s speech was solid on all substantive issues of national importance, specifically backing Buhari’s warning that unhealthy discussions and divisive comments in Nigeria must stop, saying the comment was in order.
He said the recent unhealthy discussions by some Nigerians were capable of turning the people against themselves, hence could not be tolerated any longer.
Oyegun told ARISE TV: “President Buhari swore to protect and defend the sovereignty of this nation. That is why he first started .
Source - THIS DAY
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