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Buhari’s letter: Creating a Constitutional crisis where there is none
By: Faeren Kuanum Terrence
The wordings of the letter conveying President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to travel to the Uk for medical treatment has sparked a controversy.
From fears that the president may sneak out of the country without informing the National Assembly, the emanating issue after the president has observed all the processes for him to proceed on the medical vacation including transmitting a letter to the National Assembly as well as informing the citizenry has transmuted into a hullabaloo on the literal meaning of a certain phrase in the letter.
The angst has to do with the aspect of the letter which says the vice president will coordinate the activities of the government while the president is away.
And for this, all manners of interpretations have emerged to the extent that some have called on the president to resign saying he has by that comment breached the Nigerian Constitution and (you won’t believe this) annulled the office of the vice president.
Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, a lawyer, even suggested that the use of the phrase constitutes immense damage to the Constitution and requires a no less drastic measure as commencing impeachment proceedings against the president for the infraction to be addressed.
He says this is because the function of a coordinator of government activities does not equal that of an acting president in that the former is a person of equal status with others, do cannot make appointments or sack anybody while the President is away, cannot discipline any erring minister, is limited in policy decisions, and “has no power of control over the ‘Cabal’ to whom the president has handed over power, albeit illegally.”
“In all, he says, “the National Assembly should commence impeachment proceedings against the President for gross misconduct.”
But the lawyer, to paraphrase a Bible passage, can be said to be exhibiting zeal without adequate knowledge on the subject matter.
A careful and disinterested look at the letter would reveal both the zeal and lack of depth to the interpretation given.
This is what the letter says, ” In compliance with Section 145 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) I wish to inform the Distinguished Senate that I will be away for a scheduled medical follow-up with my doctors in London. The length of my stay will be determined by the doctor’s advice. While I am away, the Vice President will coordinate the activities of the Government.”
We can see clearly that even from the opening phrase of the letter, the President makes no pretense about his resolve to abide by Constitutional provisions and had even made the point that his actions are guided strictly by that provision.
If the president had intended to be dubious, nebulous or evasive as is being insinuated in the message he intended to convey, he would have known better than to make the Constitution his guide and would have completely left out constitutional provisions in the letter since he is not in any way compelled to do so.
It is amazing how a clear matter-of – fact case of respect for the rule of law is now being twisted to look otherwise just to score a political point.
Sections 145 which the president cited states thus: ‘Whenever the President is proceeding on vacation or is otherwise unable to discharge the functions of his office, he shall transmit a written declaration to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to that effect, and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, the Vice President SHALL perform the functions of the President as Acting President.’
The phrase which caused the uproar should therefore not have done so as the writer of the letter had made it clear where he derives his powers from to so act and even if he by default goes ahead to say anything to the contrary he should simply have been ignored as he cannot approbate and reprobate at the same time.
But that is not even the case here as the constitutional provision which the president relied on to go on medical provision cannot be exercised in part. So, for anybody to input meaning that goes against the spirit and wording of the letter is outright mischievous.
Even if one agrees without conceding that the President had not expressly stated that the vice president should step forth and run the affairs of the country as ‘acting president’, how does that amount to a declaration that the office of the vice president is no more?
The farthest this line of argument would have been stretched was to have said that he continues in his role as vice even in the absence of the president, the added non existent implication is therefore puerile and without legal basis.
This leads to the issue of calling on the National Assembly to commence impeachment proceeding on the president for alleged gross misconduct.
The truth is that while the interpretation of gross misconduct is inelastic, the framers of the Constitution did not intend it as a joke or a tool for use by mischief makers like Adegboruwa and his cohorts want to have us believe .
‘Gross’ as the word connotes here is the qualifier that magnifies the misdeed to the proportion intended by the framers of the Constitution which does not exist here. And in this case, even if the letter could be said to have shied away from addressing the VP as acting president, pray, where is the gross misconduct here?
The mere transmission of a letter to the National Assembly to intimate it of the president’s intention to travel and the recourse to a constitutional provision in the same letter, is enough proof that the president respects the Constitution and is well aware of the demand when he is not available.
If any one was in doubt, the best thing to have done was to have cross checked the wording of the section of the Constitution cited and hold the President to account on that basis if and when he goes against that provision.
Looking for loopholes in areas where the weight of the law would suffice is like saying that the letter by the president carries more weight than the Constitution.
But every lawyer knows that even where there is that intent and such comes into conflict with the ground norm, it is the Constitution that holds sway.
It is therefore assumed that by citing section 145, the president has done the appropriate thing which in this case is the recognition of the vice president as the acting president so the issue of whether he can sack or appoint anybody does not arise. He needs not sack anyone except some people are planning to sack members of the Federal Executive Council to perfect another sinister agenda.
If a president dies for example, it does not matter whether he stated when he was alive that the vice president should take over from him or not as the Constitution has made that explicitly clear who should take over
The same applies to the current situation where the President has to be away. One wonders what the hoopla is all about then.
At this juncture, one can assure all concerned that there is no constitutional crisis in the country. It is those that are out to make political capital out of the current situation that are seeing a constitutional crisis when there is none.
So the call on the National Assembly to reject the President’s letter does not arise. If anything, it would even create more chaos than the storm in a tea cup interest the letter is generating now because if that happens, it would be assumed that the President had travelled and left the country without transmitting a letter to the national Assembly which will set the tone for a constitutional crisis the end of which no one can tell.
Kuanum is a forensic expert and assessor with the Global Amnesty Watch Foundation, contributed this piece from Lagos.
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After Owo, Katsina Death Sentences, Kogi Court Imposes Maximum Penalty On Man Arrested By DSS For Kidnapping, Murdering Neighbour
By: Zagazola Makama
Barely 24 hours after a Katsina State High Court sentenced to death a female arms courier arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS), a High Court of Kogi State has also imposed the death penalty on a man the DSS successfully prosecuted for kidnapping and murdering his neighbour, who ran a hotel in Obajana.
The Katsina and Kogi sentences came less than two weeks after a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, imposed the death penalty on four men arrested by the DSS for carrying out the June 5, 2022 terrorist attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State.
The Kogi court, presided over by Justice Abdul Nicodemus Awulu, on Tuesday, found Jibrin Halilu guilty on the charges of conspiracy and kidnapping, in contravention of Sections 12, 6 (1), and 4 (3)(a) of the Kogi State Kidnapping and Other Related Offences Prohibition Law, 2023. The court subsequently sentenced Halilu to death.
According to the prosecution, on March 23, 2023, Halilu and other members of his armed gang stormed Ever Ready hotel, Angwa-Tiv, in Obajana town,
abducting the proprietor, Uche Andrew Offo. Even though Offo’s family handed his abductors the N2.5 million ransom they demanded, they, nonetheless, killed him.
The DSS prosecutor told the court that operatives of the Service arrested Halilu on December 4, 2025.
“DSS investigations revealed that, while with his abductors, Offo was able to identify Halilu, who happened to be his neighbour, as being part of those who kidnapped him. That was when Halilu, despite the N2.5 million ransom he collected from Offo’s family, still killed him.
“Further investigations by the DSS also linked Halilu and his gang to the April 2, 2023 kidnapping of one Ibrahim Abdullahi, a resident of Oshokoshoko Community in Lokoja, from whom the gang collected a N5 million ransom,” a source also revealed.
The Kogi and Katsina convictions and sentencings come on the heels of a June 3, 2026, landmark verdict by a Federal High Court in Abuja sentencing four men to death for their roles in the June 5, 2022 terrorist attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State.
The court sentenced the quartet of Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, and Abdulhaleem Idris to death by hanging for the attack which resulted in the death of over 40 worshippers and left over 100 persons injured.
“These convictions mark a significant run of courtroom victories for the DSS, reinforcing the message that those who engage in terrorism, kidnapping, and armed violence will not only be caught, but will be prosecuted and made to face the full consequences of their actions,” the source declared.
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kwara Area Command, has reaffirmed its commitment to combating drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking through stronger collaboration with stakeholders, as it joined other security agencies and development partners at a conference on substance abuse prevention in Ilorin.
The stakeholders’ conference, held at the Kwara State Innovation Hub, GRA Ilorin, was themed “The World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges and Innovative Responses.” It was organised by the MTN Foundation Nigeria under its Anti-Substance Abuse Programme in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Kwara State Governor on Drug Abuse Prevention and Control, and the Kwara State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Representing a broad coalition of stakeholders, the Nigeria Customs Service, Kwara Area Command, joined other law enforcement and security agencies in deliberating on practical solutions to tackle the growing menace of substance abuse, particularly among young people.
Dignitaries at the event included the representative of the First Lady of Kwara State and Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Maryam Iya Imam; the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Drug Abuse Prevention and Control, Mr Mukail Aileru; senior executives of MTN Nigeria; and other government officials.
Security agencies represented at the conference included the Nigeria Customs Service, NDLEA, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Nigerian Correctional Service.
Participants also comprised teachers, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, pupils and students from primary and secondary schools across the state.
The conference focused on promoting collaborative efforts and inclusive strategies to address the illegal use of narcotic substances. Discussions gained momentum through a series of keynote presentations highlighting strategic measures to curb drug trafficking and innovative approaches to addressing a crisis that continues to threaten Nigeria’s social and economic development.
Speakers at the event stressed that tackling substance abuse is a shared responsibility, urging parents to take the lead in prevention efforts while emphasising the crucial roles of teachers, religious leaders and traditional rulers in shaping positive values among young people.
According to the organisers, sustained partnerships among security agencies, government institutions, community leaders and private sector organisations remain critical to winning the fight against drug abuse and trafficking.
The MTN Foundation noted that its Anti-Substance Abuse Programme has been running since 2019, providing training and awareness programmes for teachers, schoolchildren and NYSC members across Nigeria.
“The initiative has been active since 2019, training teachers, schoolchildren and NYSC members across the country, and we remain committed to continuing our advocacy and capacity-building efforts,” representatives of the foundation stated during the conference.
The event ended with a group photograph and networking session among participants, reinforcing the collective resolve of stakeholders, including the Nigeria Customs Service, to strengthen preventive measures and safeguard communities against the dangers of substance abuse.
- Tasks students on tree planting
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has implored school children across the state to embrace agriculture and see it as a catalyst of promoting food security and creating wealth.
He also encouraged them and the entire residents to cultivate the habit of planting trees, protecting green spaces, and avoiding indiscriminate waste disposal in the schools and across communities.
The Governor was speaking in Ilorin at the flag-off of the Inter-Local Government Quiz Competition on Agricultural Education Training Programme (AETP) and official launch of the Environmental Sustainability Club through Tree Planting in Kwara State.
“This event represents two critical pillars of our administration’s development agenda: quality education and environmental sustainability. It is particularly gratifying to see our young learners at the centre of this initiative,” the Governor said while declaring open the quiz competition.
“These children are the future leaders, innovators, farmers, scientists, and environmental stewards who will shape the destiny of our state and nation.
“We are encouraging them to see agriculture not merely as a means of subsistence but as a modern, technology-driven sector capable of creating wealth, ensuring food security, and driving economic growth.”
The 2-legged event was organized by the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
The Governor said the initiative aligns with his government’s efforts to strengthen climate-smart agriculture and agricultural capacity development in the state.
AbdulRazaq said the Inter-Local Government Quiz Competition is more than an academic exercise but a platform for intellectual engagement, innovation, and healthy competition among students from across our sixteen local government areas.
“The trees we plant today symbolise life, hope, resilience, and our collective responsibility to protect the environment,” the Governor said through the SUBEB Chairman, Prof Sheu Raheem Adaramaja who represented him.
He noted that beyond beautifying our surroundings, trees improve air quality, prevent soil erosion, absorb carbon emissions, and contribute to a healthier ecosystem for future generations.
Dignitaries at the event included the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr Lawal Olohungbebe, represented by Director of School Services in the Ministry, Mrs Osanupin Olubunmi;
State Women Leader for APC), Hajia Falilat Ronke Mohammed; Kwara Central Senatorial Chairman,
Alhaji Mahmud Tunrawa; Local Government Education Secretaries, Coordinator, Adaramaja Women Alliance, Hajia Rafat Ajao Gomi; representatives of the Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS)
and Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), and students.
Prof Adaramaja, whose speech was delivered by the Director of Administration, Alhaji Abdulateef Sholagberu, said the occasion represents another significant milestone in the collective efforts to strengthen basic education through practical learning, environmental responsibility, and the promotion of agricultural knowledge among the learners.
He said the Agricultural Education Training Programme (AETP) has been carefully designed to expose pupils to modern agricultural concepts and practices, stimulate their interest in farming and agribusiness.
He, however, requested contractors who recently secured contracts with the state government for school construction/rehabilitation to make sure they germinate trees in their sites before they can deliver the projects.
At the end of the quiz competition, where at least 19 students of the public basic schools had participated, Torkuma Perfect (St Anthony Secondary School) got the first prize and went home with 500,000. Ibeh Daniel (also from St Anthony) turned out a first runner-up and received N 250,000, while Abdulrahman Thani Fatimah from Queen Elizabeth School got 100,000 for a second runner-up position.
Highlight of the event was the practical demonstration of tree planting by school children.
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After Owo, Katsina Death Sentences, Kogi Court Imposes Maximum Penalty On Man Arrested By DSS For Kidnapping, Murdering Neighbour
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