Osinbajo's VP Office currently missing as Buhari rules Nigeria from London, push Osinbajo aside

President Muhammadu Buhari, has disclosed why he refused to handover power to Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, before embarking on his recent trip to the United Kingdom, UK, for undisclosed reasons.

Buhari made this disclosure on Saturday night, through his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.

He stated that Buhari can govern the country from anywhere in the world.

He maintained that as so long as the President’s absence was for a short period, he does not need to inform the National Assembly, or handover to Osinbajo.


The Presidency also said that Buhari, while in the UK, is exercising his authority as the President, since his absence would be for 10 days, and not up to 21 days.

Garba Shehu made reference to section 145 (1) (2) of the 1999 Constitution, to make a defence for Buhari.

When asked why Buhari did not inform the National Assembly of his trip, Shehu replied that it was not necessary.


He stated: “No, that is not necessary. The President can exercise authority from wherever he is, as he is currently doing.

“This is a relatively short absence. If you check section 145 (1) and (2) of the Constitution, you will see that the law is only infringed upon when such absence extends to 21 days.”



Meanwhile, both the Presidential Liaison Officers in the National Assembly, and Officials in the Offices of the President of the Senate, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, could not confirm the transmission of a letter by Buhari, notifying the Legislature about his trip, as at Saturday night.

When contacted, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives), Mr. Umar el-Yakub, declined to speak.



The SSA on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang, also did not confirm the transmission of the letter. “I will be able to speak about it on Monday. Right now, I am home for family and political matters. When I return (to Abuja), I will officially speak next week; I will officially speak on Monday”, he said.

Also, the Special Adviser to the President of the Senate, on Media and Publicity, Alhaji Yusuph Olaniyonu, could not confirm receipt of the letter by his Principal, as at Saturday night, as well.