Buhari To Get Handover Note And Tour Villa May 28

The President-elect, Muhammad Buhari, will get his handover notes from President Goodluck Jonathan on May 28, 2015.

He will also be conducted round the Presidential Villa, Abuja, alongside the Vice President-elect, Yemi Osinbajo, by the outgoing President on the same day.

These were parts of the transition programmes that were approved on Tuesday at a meeting of the Council of State, presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State and Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State gave out the information.

Aliyu said the Council approved a template that will henceforth be used during subsequent transition programmes in the country.

He said the process leading to the takeover of government by Buhari would commence with a Jumat service that would be held on Friday, May 22, adding that a church service would be held on Sunday, May 24.

The governor said a Presidential dinner would be held on May 28, during which the handover notes prepared by Ministries, Departments and Agencies would be presented to Buhari.

According to him, Jonathan would also conduct Buhari and Osinbajo round offices and strategic places in the Presidential Villa on the same day.

He added that apart from the President’s inauguration, a presidential luncheon and gala night would hold on May 29.

For the inauguration, Aliyu said leaders of all African countries, as well as Presidents and Prime Ministers of G8, had been invited for the inauguration.

He said invitations had also been extended to heads of international organisations, like the United Nations, Commonwealth, ECOWAS and African Union.

He added that during the meeting, a former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, moved a motion that Jonathan be thanked for his contribution to national development.

He said while Gowon lauded Jonathan for conceding victory in the last election, he also commended Buhari for being magnanimous in victory.

He said the actions of the two leaders had succeeded in stopping the tension witnessed in the country ahead of the elections.