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.”
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