A political action group, Concerned Nigerians, has issued a 2-weeks ultimatum to President Muhammadu Buhari that either he returns to Nigeria and resume office as president or the group with stage nationwide protests tagged #OccupyNigeria.
In an e-mailed statement on Saturday, March 4, 2017 signed by the group’s convener, Deji Adeyanju, Concerned Nigerians noted that the ailing President Buhari has been performing official duties even while on a medical leave and said that his continued meddling in the affairs of the country is creating “a constitutional dilemma”.
The group noted that the president has been out of Nigeria for 45 days on an indefinite medical leave during which time he held phone conversations with US President Donald Trump, and recently, the Kind of Morocco and went on to promise bilateral agreements with the two world leaders.
“Today – March 4th, 2017 – marks 45 days of President Muhammadu Buhari’s absence from his office as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and from the country as a whole on a medical vacation in the United Kingdom,” the statement said.
“During this period, he has not made any public appearances and has only clandestinely “communicated” with very few people.
“Furthermore, details of President Buhari’s health status have been kept away from the generality of Nigerians while his media team and other members of his cabinet/party make conflicting comments regarding his health.
“We acknowledge that during this period President Buhari has satisfied constitutional requirements by transmitting letters to the National Assembly handing power over to his Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, on an acting capacity.
“However, during this period President Buhari has created a constitutional dilemma by carrying out official functions. On February 13, 2018 in a capacity as President of Nigeria, he spoke to President Donald Trump of the United States with respect to bilateral relations between the two countries.
“On Thursday March 2nd, 2017 again in a capacity as President of Nigeria President Buhari spoke to the King of Morocco with respect to bilateral relations between the two countries as well as Morocco’s application to become a member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
“These actions, as well as President Buhari’s continued vacation, constitute a constitutional dilemma capable of destabilising the country.
“President Buhari’s insistence on performing the functions of President after having transmitted power to Ag. President Osinbajo in effect creates de-facto and de-jure, which does not bode well for the country.
“To this end, we urge President Buhari to return to the country on or before the 60th day after which he left the country (15 days from today) failing which we will begin a series of peaceful processions across the country aimed at sensitizing the public as to the legal and constitutional dilemma created by President Buhari’s continued absence from office and his insistence on performing official functions while away.
“God bless Nigeria.”
