President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday assented to the Bill amending the Deep Offshore (and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contract) Act.
This was disclosed on Twitter by the President who is currently in London on a private visit.
This afternoon I assented to the Bill amending the Deep Offshore (and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contract) Act. This is a landmark moment for Nigeria; let me use this opportunity to thank the National Assembly for the cooperation that produced this long overdue amendment.
— Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) November 4, 2019
Comments have trailed the move describing it as a clear sign that the Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has been effectively relegated and rendered redundant in his role as number two citizen.
You can no longer convince me that there’s no deliberate ploy to relegate and undermine @ProfOsinbajo ahead of 2023. This function in a foreign country could’ve been performed by the Vice President, as done in the past, if power had been handed over to him. This is bad optics. https://t.co/18vXj9befV
— Gimba Kakanda (@gimbakakanda) November 4, 2019
Customarily, President Buhari was expected to transmit power to Osinbajo as he embarked on a private visit abroad. This would have enabled Osinbajo perform his duty as Acting President in Buhari’s absence.
Punch reported on Monday that the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari flew to London with the bill and handed it to President Buhari for signing. Nigerians have been reacting to the development as seen in some of these tweets;
Wicked man, ruling Nigeria from outside the country tells you how useless he has made the office of the vice president become.
— Alist (@ighodey) November 4, 2019
I wonder what is so sweet in that office that the VP hasn’t tendered his resignation!
— Dav (@daphinon) November 4, 2019
Wastage of tax payers money. Why take a bill to London for the president’s signature? London has become the new capital of Nigeria o. May God save us from these comdians!
— Aderibigbe Sanjo Sam (@sam_sanjo) November 4, 2019
Kyari can’t share tradermoni, he can’t go console families of slain Nigerians but can fly to London just to sign a bill whereas the Ceremonial VP is at home. Thank God for showing us mercy. At least we know what’s ongoing.
— Mr Right (@OtunMuri) November 4, 2019
Why should Abba Kyari waste tax payers money to take the bill to London, for signing? Was it so urgent that the President must sign it now, he is on private visit? Was he trying to prove the President’s office extends everywhere, so, the he needs not transmit power to the VP?
— Dennis Njirika (@DDnjirika) November 4, 2019
It’s an insult to VP’s personality my brother. What is special in handover to Osinbajo for 15 days he wants to use for resting. I’m a Buhari Fan but not in support of this style
— Olaniyi B. Ojo (@ojoniyi83) November 4, 2019
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