Nigeria seems not to have extricated itself from the old narrative, after details revealed how President Bola Tinubu failed to convene Federal Executive Council meeting since his inauguration on May 29, 2023, over his failing health emerged.
This has continued to raise questions on whether or not this could obstruct. governance
The only cabinet meeting so far chaired by President Tinubu according to Sahara Reporters, was held at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa in Abuja on August 28.
Though, it is not clear how the 48 ministers appointed by Tinubu have been giving briefings and taking directives from the President in the absence of weekly FEC meetings.
But according to Section 148 (2) of the 1999 Constitution, The President shall hold regular meetings with the Vice-President and all the Ministers of the Government of the Federation for the purposes of – (a) determining the general direction of domestic and foreign policies of the Government of the Federation; (b) co-ordinating the activities of the President, the Vice-President and the Ministers of the Government of the Federation in the discharge of their executive responsibilities; and (c) advising the President generally in discharge of his executive functions other than those functions with respect to which he is required by this Constitution to seek the advice or act on the recommendation of any other person or body.
According to SaharaReporters, President Tinubu has been sick and therefore unable to fully discharge his responsibilities in office.
In early September, Tinubu left Nigeria on Monday, September 4, 2023, to attend the G-20 Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi, India.
He returned to Abuja on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, after stopping over in the United Arab Emirates following the G20 summit in India.
Then on Sunday, September 17, Tinubu left Abuja for New York to attend the 78th UN General Assembly. Tinubu, however, did not return to Abuja until Friday, September 29 ahead of Nigeria’s 63rd Independence Anniversary on October 1 and one week after he attended the 78th UNGA from September 19 to 23.
Sahara Reporters quoting an authoritative source report that the President returned to Abuja on September 29 without the usual welcoming ceremony at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
“Tinubu has not been having FEC meetings. Even when arrived from his trip to New York, United States for UNGA, there was no airport ceremony to welcome him.
“His car had to be driven to where he would alight the plane from the stairs because he was sick,” the Presidency source said.