FOR THE RECORDS: Buhari Inaugurates Transition Committee

Transition Com'ttee ; President Elect General Muhammadu Buhari (M) flanked by the Vice President Elect Prof Yemi Osinbajo left and Chairman Transition Committee, Alh Ahmed Joda, APC National Chairman Chief John Odigie Oyegun, Chief Ogbonnaya Onu in a group photo after the inauguration of President Buhari Transition Committee in Abuja. APR 29 2015.

Just as President-elect Muhammadu Buhari was inaugurating his 19-member transition committee led by Mallam Ahmed Joda, the outgoing administration led by President Goodluck Jonathan Wednesday admonished him for forming a parallel government and overheating the polity.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) also rejected the terms of reference brought before it by the transition committee of the incoming administration led by Buhari. Despite the reservations expressed by the present administration, Buhari while inaugurating his transition committee in Abuja, allayed fears that his government, which would assume office on May 29, will be used to persecute its predecessors or to pursue a personal vendetta.

He said government is a continuum and all that the incoming government needed to know was where the previous government stopped so that it would know where to continue.

THISDAY report continues:

Buhari, however, urged the committee to be meticulous and not to overlook the essentials of their engagement with the transition panel representing the outgoing administration.

“It is a simple matter but you must have the right information if you are to shape appropriate policy decisions. Needless to repeat that your committee and our government are not on a witch-hunt or to engage in fault finding.

“We want the facts and nothing but the facts, what has been done cannot be undone. Our job is to learn from the mistakes of the past in an attempt to avoid similar errors,” he said.

On the terms of reference for the committee’s assignment, Buhari said the committee would advise him on the details of the handover notes based on their honest assessment of the situation on the ground.

He said the transition committee has two weeks to conclude its assignment.

“Your job is to make sure that you do not overlook the essentials. The time given for you to complete your assignment, two weeks, is short but because of the postponement of the election for six weeks from February 14 to March 28, the transition period has been truncated, we are obliged therefore to fast track steps to May 29.

“I thank you all collectively and individually for accepting to serve on this committee at a very short notice. The change from one government to another always involves complicated operational challenges and we all know that government is a continuum but the incoming government needs to know where the previous government stopped so that it can know where to continue.

“Luckily, you are all outstanding men and women of competence and experience in different fields, so this assignment, onerous though it is, is well within your ability to accomplish.

“You are enquired to assess the information provided to you and advise me on its quality and accuracy,” he said.

Buhari said the terms of reference of the committee included developing a clear framework for liaison with the outgoing administration for purposes of a smooth handover/takeover and to receive handover documents from the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) and itemise the most important or most urgent issues confronting the incoming government.

He said the committee was also saddled with reviewing and making a preliminary assessment of the balance sheet of government with particular emphasis on the status of the assets and liabilities of government; cash flow position of the government; quantum of public domestic and external debt of government and their deployment; government’s outstanding contractual obligations and its ability to meet such obligations; and the status of implementation of capital projects.

The committee is also expected to undertake a preliminary assessment of the security challenges facing the country and the counter-insurgency measures taken by the government thus far; and the counter-policy measures being implemented in the Niger Delta to deal with unrests and major economic crimes in the area.

In particular, the status of the Amnesty Programme, the readiness of the police and other national security and intelligence agencies in addressing threats to law and order, and to provide a brief overview of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

Other terms of reference for the committee included to suggest “quick fixes” which will result in tangible, visible and practical measures so that “change” will be seen after 30 days, after 100 days, after six months of the administration taking office, and to make any other observations which in view of the committee would be helpful to the transition and take off of the new administration.

Speaking on the chairman of the committee, Buhari described Joda as a versatile person and “one of the few surviving links between First Republic civil service and the present day”.

“His versatility includes farming, industry and 21st century IT. He is one of Nigeria’s spiritual assets but let me warn you he is an exerting taskmaster. Few young men of his age can keep up with him,” he said.

Responding on behalf of the transition committee members, Joda said the committee was determined to do its best within the time that is allowed to help Buhari accomplish his wish and to make it possible for him to achieve his vision.

“We are going to try to begin to lay the foundation for a strong country where justice and peace will prevail. I think Nigerians entrusted you to this high position because they by themselves, perhaps under the guidance of God, have identified you as the person who they think will likely wipe away their tears and heal their wounds and put our nation on the path of greatness.

“I pledge everyone of us will give you the best and most earnest advice from the bottom of our hearts in order that our country, together in peace and unity, can realise our goals and aspirations.

“May I also take this opportunity to congratulate you and your vice-president for the confidence that the people of Nigeria have entrusted in you, and those who will work with you, and pray for God’s guidance and success in discharging your duties and your responsibilities to the people of Nigeria,” he said.

Confirming THISDAY’s exclusive report last Saturday, the committee has as its members, Joda, Dr. Doyin Salami (Vice-Chairman), Mr. Adamu Adamu (Secretary), Mr. Wale Edun, Mrs. Bola Adesola, Mr. Festus Odimegwu, Mrs. Nike Aboderin, Chief John Oyegun, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, Chief Audu Ogbeh, Mr. Boss Mustapha, Senator Hadi Sirika, Dr. Ogbonaya Onu, Alhaji Abubakar Malami (SAN), General Lawal Jafar Isa, Mr. Mohammed Hayatudeen, Mr. Solomon Dalong, Prof. Tam David West and Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

THISDAY further learnt that the inclusion of Lai Mohammed in the committee is aimed at arriving at an odd number in its composition, which could give the chairman the deciding vote on knotty issues should the need arise.

But just at Buhari’s transition committee was being given its terms of reference, Jonathan yesterday warned the president-elect against forming a parallel government and overheating the polity.

Minister of National Planning Abubakar Sulaiman, who briefed State House correspondents in the company of the Information Minister, Patricia Akwashiki, after the weekly FEC meeting, said through its actions and utterances, the incoming government was overheating the polity and carrying out actions which tends to undermine the powers of the president.

The National Planning Minister, who is also the sub-committee chairman of the federal government’s transition committee, said FEC rejected the terms of reference brought before it by the transition committee of the incoming government.

According to Sulaiman, “We did receive from the incoming government its transition committee’s terms of reference which we looked at critically. And council did agree that Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan remains in charge of the current government of this country.

“The incoming government should avoid creating a parallel government while the current government is still in place.

“We take exception to some utterances, to some of the terms of reference that look as if the current government is being stampeded or intimidated.

“Council frowned on most of the statements, most of the provisions and council members are advised to work in line with the terms of reference of the current government.

“Council members are also to ensure that the terms of reference, as formatted by our transition committee, should be strictly complied with.

“When the incoming government takes over they can come out with their programmes, they can come out with their own agenda, they can decide to come out with policies with the way they feel like.

“This government remains resolute on the various programmes and projects it is pursuing and the government will continue to do that until the morning of May 29.

“While council enjoined members to be steadfast, Mr. President also enjoined members to come out with programmes, projects to be commissioned, that need to be inspected, and members in council should work as part of the government and should perform their work without intimidation.

“Also, civil servants, directors, directors general should see this government as the current government and not do anything that will rock the boat so as not to put this country in a bad light.

“These are the issues before the (federal government’s) transition committee, these are issues that were raised on the transition programme.

“I want to tell you that yesterday (Tuesday), the chairman of the incoming transition committee, Mallam Ahmed Joda, conferred with the chairman of the transition committee of the current government, Vice-President Namadi Sambo. They had a very robust discussion and they are working together as a family and I want to believe that for the good of this country, things will work.”

The minister added that Jonathan’s magnanimity should not be taken for cowardice, adding: “That is why Mr. President and indeed council members enjoined the Nigerian people to see the olive branch extended to Nigerians and the international community as a way of keeping this country intact.

“As a way of ensuring peace in Nigeria, whatever the outcome of the elections, because what is important is Nigeria’s national interest. And that national interest should be protected, enhanced and promoted at whatever level we are. These are issues for the transition programme discussed in council.”

He told journalists that the federal government's transition committee has in its possession two presentations for the incoming administration – the executive summaries of all the MDA handover notes and the detailed handover notes from almost all the MDAs.

The minister said the transition process was on course in terms of handover notes and briefs, noting: “We have covered almost 80 per cent of our assignment.”

On her part, Akwashiki said FEC approved two private universities presented by the Minister of Education in Delta and Imo States.

She said the Edwin Clark University in Delta and Hezekiah University, a Christian-owned university in Umudi, Imo State, were the universities approved.

“The universities will address the inadequate access to university education and enrollment of students in the country.

“The Minister of Education said in a country where we have 170 million people, our universities are not enough to go round. Therefore there was a need to approve additional universities.

“The National Universities Commission (NUC) explained to council why these two universities merited approval and they were so approved,” she said.

On the Nigerians executed in Indonesia, Akwashiki said the Foreign Affairs Ministry was on top of the issue before the execution and had made efforts to stop the executions, adding: “It is unfortunate that any of our citizens had to be killed like that. We do not agree with what Indonesia did like any other person.

“But we would also use this incident to advise Nigerians travelling abroad that these countries make it clear when they issue visas, the penalty for drug trafficking is death.

“Please let us beware, because that is their law, they will not budge, they will not shift. In-as-much as we also condemn the executions, we also advise and plead with Nigerians outside to desist from carrying drugs, as the ultimate end is firing squad.

“Mr. President and indeed this government is committed to the plight of Nigerians anywhere they are. Our policy of protecting and promoting our citizens’ interest is still very much intact. That perhaps gives a clue to the issue in Indonesia, but that is not to say that as a government we are not promoting our national interest or defending our nationals in those countries.

“However, out nationals should not take things for granted and flout international municipal laws, thinking that the Nigerian government will always be there to support them.”

On the fuel queues across the country, Akwashiki said: “I want to assure Nigerians that we have enough fuel to supply the country; the problem is not that we do not have fuel available. However, we have a problem with the tanker drivers and it borders on non-payment of outstanding subsidies.

“But from tomorrow (Thursday), the Coordinating Minister for the Economy (Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala) is going to start paying off some of the liabilities we have in that sector and the queues will ease off.

“But we do have enough fuel to last us for 27 days, on that I can assure you, even if we are consuming four million litres per day. The problem we have is logistics, the problems with the unions and non-payment.

“So you don't have to wait for the Buhari administration to fix it, we can fix it and we have been fixing it.”

On the suspension of the permanent secretary in the Foreign Affairs Ministry over Nigeria’s erroneous recall of its envoys in South Africa, she said: “What is important here is that whatever decision government has taken should not been seen within the context of the ongoing transition process.

“Mr. President made it very clear that as a president and indeed a government, you don’t allow any of the political functionaries or civil servants to mess this government up.
“The way and manner South Africa and Nigeria’s subtle face-off was handled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and in particular the suspended permanent secretary, did not go down well with Mr. President.

“So as a government, we took a decision to suspend the permanent secretary, pending investigations as to what transpired. Already, it was obvious that diplomacy at that level was not well managed.”

She noted that the only person who has the right to recall an ambassador is the president, adding that there was a breach and that clearly was the singular reason the permanent secretary was suspended.

On why the Minister of Foreign Affairs Aminu Wali had not been held accountable, Akwashiki said: “I don’t think it is difficult to hold him accountable. The way we put it was exactly the president's summary of events that happened, beginning with the phone call or no phone call to the King of Morocco.

“It was in line with that that the president has now wielded the big stick by suspending the permanent secretary. The minister wasn't even in the country, he was out of the country attending an international programme when it happened.

“The minister is the minister, the permanent secretary is the accounting officer in the ministry, so the stick had to fall on him.”