Minister explains Buhari’s absence at FEC meeting

From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari’s absence at the weekly meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) was not due to ill-health, but to enable him attend to more important national issues.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, who made the clarification in his preliminary remarks before the post-FEC briefing of State House correspondents, said the president opted out of the meeting because the agenda was light to attend to other issues of national importance.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo presided over the meeting held at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
“Clearly, when we came in this morning, Mr. President was not in the Chambers but the Vice President did preside over the council meeting. Understandably, that has sparked a lot of controversies and imputations in the mind of people. I just want to make this clear, Mr. President is in town. Mr. president is attending to other issues. Mr. president looked at the agenda, it was a very light agenda and decided that the Vice President should preside.
“It’s not unusual for the kind of interest that is shown, especially given the fact that Mr. President was away for a while on medical treatment. We are not surprised that people will be wondering, is he ill again?
“He is not ill, he is not sick. I am sure that later in the day or tomorrow morning, he will be back in the office. I just want to clear that misconception.
“It’s not unusual even if Mr. President is hale and hearty and everything is going on well, for the VP to preside over meetings of the Federal Executive Council.
“The fact that Mr. President is not in the office does not mean that he is not working. I have just been told now that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation is already with him in the residence working. So, the fact that you did not see him in the office does not mean that he is not working at all.”
It was the first time Osinbajo will preside over the meeting since Buhari returned from his 49-day medical vacation on March 10.
Buhari attended last week’s FEC where he launched the Economic and Recovery Growth Plan (ERGP).

But by 11am when the FEC meeting commenced, Osinbajo’s voice resonated from the background as he called for the National Anthem.
Ministers who were hitherto exchanging pleasantries with each another to settle down for the day’s business quickly adjusted.
Buhari attended last week’s FEC where he launched the Economic and Recovery Growth Plan (ERGP).