Against expectations that President Goodluck Jonathan will hand over power to Muhammadu Buhari, the President-elect on May 29, Democracy day, the outgoing president will hand over on May 28, a day before the actual inauguration date.
Patricia Akwashiki, Minister of Information, disclosed this at the end of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting held in Abuja on Wednesday.
Akwashiki explained that Jonathan would perform the ceremony at a dinner on the eve of the May 29 Democracy Day.
She said that the President had directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies to prepare and submit their handover notes to Anyim Pius Anyim, the Secretary to the government of the federation on or before April 20.
The information minister further announced that while the valedictory FEC meeting is to hold on May 20, everything that required the President’s approval must be presented to him latest by May 13.
She said this became important so that the incoming government would not accuse the out going government of rushing projects.
As part of plans to ensure successful transition of administration, Akwashiki said that President Jonathan had directed the MDAs to brief him on inherited projects and those initiated by his administration under their jurisdiction.
While assuring that the present administration will devise appropriate measures to ensure a smooth transition, the minister said that Vice-President Namadi Sambo is assigned to head the government’s transition committee while Anyim is in charge of the inauguration committee.
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