BUHARI'S TRANSITION LETTER REFERING OSINBAJO AS COORDINATOR RAISES DUST AT SENATE (SEE LETTER)

Senate refused to entertain Point of Order from PDP Senator Mao Ohuabunwa representing Abia North asking it to reject President Muhammadu Buhari's letter notifying the upper legislative chamber of his intention to follow-up with his medical treatment in the United Kingdom.

In the letter read on the floor of the Senate, Buhari had in line with Section 145 of the Constitution transmitted power to his Vice Yemi Osinbajo asking him to "Coordinate the activities of government" while he will be away.

Ohuabunwa was not comfortable with the "ambiguity" in the use of the word "Coordinating" in the letter.

He was also not comfortable with the President's letter referring to Osinbajo as Vice President and not as Acting President.

Ohuabuwa therefore asked Senate to reject the President's letter, calling on it to ask Buhari to forward another letter.

In a swift response, Senate Leader asked Senate to disregard Ohuabuwa's request.

He said the President has done what is required of him by law drawing attention to the first paragraph of the letter where the President said noted his action was in compliance with Section 145 of the constitution which requires him to hand over to Osinbajo as Acting President.

Senate President Bukola Saraki subsequently ruled Ohuabuwa out of order since the President's letter had referred to the constitution.

President Muhammadu Buhari could have been required to return immediately to the country to write and forward another letter to the Senate, if Senate had permitted Ohuabuwa's request