NAIJA NEWS
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has failed to convene the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting 44 days after the inaugural cabinet session held on August 28.
Naija News reports that the FEC, which is chaired by the President, is the executive cabinet that determines the policies and programmes of the Federal Government and serves as an advisory body to the Nigerian leader.
President Tinubu had, on August 21, sworn in and inaugurated 45 ministers who attended the maiden cabinet meeting at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa in Abuja on August 28.
However, the president was out of the country for 20 days in September alone, where he spent eight days attending the G20 Summit in New Delhi, India and held bilateral talks in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Also in September, President Tinubu was away for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, the United States, and other outings for twelve days.
During the period, Vice President Kashim Shettima, who could have presided over FEC meetings, was in Havana, where he represented the president at the G77+China Leaders’ Summit from September 15 to 17.
President Tinubu returned to Abuja on September 29, ahead of the 63rd Independence Anniversary and has not presided over any FEC meeting.
Meanwhile, the three ministers recently confirmed by the Senate – Balarabe Abbas Lawal (Kaduna), Jamila Bio Ibrahim (Kwara) and Ayodele Olawande (Ondo) have not been sworn in.
Presidential Source Gives Reason
A top presidency source told Daily Trust that the FEC meeting was being put on hold owing to a ministerial retreat which has not yet taken place.
The source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said each minister had been given a document that specified his/her mandates and targets.
On why the ministerial retreat has not taken place, the official said all 48 ministers were expected to internalize the content of the documents before the retreat.
The source added that the recently confirmed ministers would be sworn in at the next cabinet meeting, adding that the President has continued to receive briefings from ministers and heads of various agencies and parastatals.
“The ministers ought to have started a retreat. And they have been given some materials which they want them to internalize before the retreat,” the source said.
