SGF Inaugurates Presidential Transition Council

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha has inauguration the Presidential Transition Council.

Gatekeepers News reports that Mustapha described the inauguration as a demonstration of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration’s commitment to strengthening key governance institutions that support our democratic process.

President Buhari approved the establishment of a Presidential Transition Council, for facilitating and managing the 2023 transition programme.

The SGF while stating that this will allow a fair and credible electoral process and handover the reins of power to the next President of Nigeria, said the President signed Executive Order No. 14 of 2023 on the Facilitation and Management of Presidential Transitions which provides the legal framework for a seamless transition of power from one administration to another.

Mistapha said, “Although the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria sets out the overarching framework for assumption of office of the President, this is the first time in our history as a country that the Federal Government of Nigeria will be establishing a detailed process for managing Presidential transitions of government at the federal level.

It is with great delight and honour therefore, that I am carrying out the onerous task of inaugurating the Presidential Transition Council, on behalf of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“I also feel privileged to have been appointed to serve as the Chairperson of the Council.

“In line with the Executive Order No. 14 of 2023, the Council is charged with the responsibility of facilitating and managing the 2023 Presidential Transition Programme.”

According to him, the Council will amongst other things:

“facilitate the handing over process by the current President to the President-elect;

“organise for the security of the President-elect and the Vice President-elect including coordinating security briefings on the nation’s security matters post- elections.

“organise for the necessary facilities including fully furnished Office and personnel for the President-elect and his/her transition team.”

He added the the Council will “co-ordinate the briefings of the President-elect by relevant public officers;

“facilitate communication between the outgoing President and the President-elect;

“prepare the programme and organise for the swearing-in ceremony;

“carry out any other activity necessary to ensure optimal performance of the functions of the President under the Constitution and perform any other function assigned to it under the 1999 Constitution as amended.”

Mustapha said the Council shall have all powers necessary for the execution of its functions under this Executive Order and shall conduct its business in line with national ethics as espoused in Section 23 of the Constitution. Except as otherwise provided in the Executive Order, the Council may determine its own procedure.

As the Chair of this Council, he vowed to do everything within his power to ensure they meet the expectations of the President.

He, therefore, enjoined each member of the council to put in even more effort in ensuring the next administration receives every support needed to make an early and quick start. “In a few months, it will be 8 years that the Buhari administration has been in power,” the SGF said.

“Within this period, we have made significant strides in advancing the fortunes of our nation, we have also learnt lessons that will be useful for the incoming administration and it is on the strength of this trajectory, that the current administration is committing itself to making the 2023 transition process seamless for the incoming President and his team.

“Our achievements must be preserved. The Reforms that enabled those achievements must therefore, be documented and communicated in clear terms, so the incoming administration understands what we have done, the basis of our decisions, what we achieved and the opportunities for continuity.”

According to him, the President directed the Chairperson of the Council to convene the inaugural meeting of the Council with immediate effect to kick off the transition process across all levels of government in line with Executive Order No. 14 of 2023.

The SGF said, “The President expects that the transition process will be replicated across States Government. The activities of this Council will be presented to Mr. President in my weekly briefings.

“I commit to supporting you with all that you may require to deliver on your responsibilities as members of this Council. We must bear in mind that the success of the next administration determines the progress of this great nation. The nation is therefore, counting on us. I trust we will make this administration and the entire nation proud.

“In line with the Executive Order No.14, I have appointed the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Dr. Habiba Lawal, OON as the Secretary of the Presidential Transition Council. She is by the Executive Order to be known as the Federal Transition Coordinator.”

Below are members of the Presidential Transition Council 2023 inaugurated:

Secretary to the Government of the Federation – Chairperson

Head of Civil Service of the Federation

Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice

Permanent Secretaries from the Ministries and offices responsible for:
Defence
Interior
Budget and National Planning
Foreign Affairs
Information and Culture
Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA)
Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs
Cabinet Affairs, office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF)
General Services, OSGF
Economic and Political Affairs, OSGF
State House
National Security Adviser
Chief of Defence Staff
Inspector-General of Police
Director General, National Intelligence Agency
Director General, State Security Services
Clerk of the National Assembly
Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria; and
Two representatives, to be nominated by the President-elect.