The Federal Government (FG) has unveiled a 22-man Presidential Transition Council to facilitate the smooth transition from the present administration to the incoming government ahead of the handover on May 29, 2023. This was made known on Tuesday during the inauguration ceremony by the chairman of the Council, Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
He said, “Today marks another historic moment of our administration, as we yet again demonstrate our commitment to strengthening key governance institutions that support our democratic process.
“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.
“The Council will amongst other things: facilitate the handing over process by the current President to the President-elect; organize for the security of the President-elect and the Vice President-elect including coordinating security briefings on the nation’s security matters post-elections.
“We are also to facilitate communication between the outgoing President and the President-elect; prepare the programme and organize 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.”
On February 7, President Muhammadu Buhari signed Executive Order No. 14 of 2023 on the Facilitation and Management of the Presidential Transition.
Members of the Council include the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretaries from the Ministries of Defence; Interior; Finance, Budget and National Planning, Foreign Affairs and; Information and Culture.
Other members are the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Director-Generals of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and the State Security Services (SSS), amongst others.
