The federal government launched a 22-member Presidential Transition Council in Abuja on Tuesday ahead of the 2023 handover to the incoming government.
The committee, chaired by the Secretary of Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, has as members the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Attorney General of the Federation and the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Justice.
Others are permanent secretaries of the ministries and offices responsible for defense, interior, budget and national planning, foreign relations, information and culture, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Special Functions and Intergovernmental Affairs.
The rest are the Permanent Secretaries, Cabinet Affairs, General Service Affairs, Economic and Political Affairs, SGF office, State House, National Security Adviser, Chief of the Defense Staff, Inspector General of Police, Director General, National Intelligence Agency, Director General, State Security Services, Secretary of the National Assembly, Chief Clerk of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and two representatives to be nominated by the president-elect after the general election.
In his comment, Mustapha said that President Muhammadu Buhari, in keeping with his commitment to enable a fair and credible electoral process and the handover of power to the next president of Nigeria, signed Executive Order No. 14 of 2023.
According to him, the order is about the facilitation and management of ‘Presidential Transitions’, which provides the legal framework for a smooth transition of power from one administration to another.
“Today marks another historic moment for our administration as we once again demonstrate our commitment to strengthening key government institutions that support our democratic process.
“It is with great pleasure and honor, therefore, that I am undertaking the onerous task of inaugurating the Transitional Presidential Council, on behalf of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
According to him, the council has the responsibility of facilitating and managing the 2023 Presidential Transition Program and facilitating the handover process from the current president to the president-elect.
Other responsibilities included organizing security for the president-elect and vice-president-elect, including coordinating security briefings on homeland security, post-election issues, among others.
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The SGF said that, in his own capacity as chair of the council, he would do everything in his power to ensure that the council meets the expectations of the president.
“I urge each of us to do more to ensure that the next administration receives all the support necessary for an early and fast start.”
Responding on behalf of the council members, the Head of the Federation Civil Service, Folasade Yemi-Esan, expressed his gratitude to Mr. Buhari for the trust placed in them.
Ms. Yemi-Esan said that the steps taken by Buhari to establish the transitional council before the presidential elections are not only proactive but also selfless and a noble decision in the interest of the country.
“This will undoubtedly remain as one of his legacies after his administration.
“It is also important for us as a committee to affirm that the importance of the work entrusted to us can never be overstated. It is in view of the remarkable historic achievement of the president’s administration.”
Buhari will leave power on May 29 when his second and final term ends.
(YAYA)