Tinubu Nominates Powerful Northern Governor, Ex-Lagos Commissioner into Transition Council

The President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has nominated Kebbi Governor Atiku Bagudu and former Lagos Commissioner for Finance, Mr Olawale Edun, as members of the Presidential Transition Council (PTC).

Chairman of the PTC and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, announced this on Tuesday during the maiden briefing by the Council.

He also said the Council, which was inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari on February 14 has commenced executing its numerous tasks.

Buhari, under Executive Order 14, which was signed on February 7, set up the 24-member Council, including two nominees of the President-elect.

Mustapha said that since the inauguration, the council had met four times with the one held on Tuesday being the 5th held.

He assured that the transition process is on course and all efforts are being made to ensure a smooth transition of power on May 29.

“This process of the interface is necessary so as to keep Nigerians abreast of developments, build inclusiveness and lay a solid foundation for a peaceful transition of power in our country. The Presidential Transition Council which was inaugurated on 14th February 2023 is made up of 24 members which include two persons from the President-Elect’s team.

“After the declaration of, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the President-Elect, the PTC requested him to nominate his representatives on the council as provided in the Executive Order. The President-elect nominated Atiku Bagudu, the Governor of Kebbi State and Chief Olawale Edun both of whom have since joined the process actively,” Mustapha said.

He also said that to ensure a smooth transition process and make the work more efficient, the PTC broke into three committees.

According to him, the first is Inauguration Committee which is responsible for organising the swearing-in and the inaugural parade; working out the details, programmes and other logistics necessary for the successful inauguration ceremonies.

“This committee is headed by the SGF with 15 members and is working through 13 sub-committees facilitate effective planning and execution of the Inauguration activities.

These sub-committees are: Media and Publicity; Church Service; Juma’at Service; Protocol and Invitations; Transport and Logistics; The Inauguration Lecture; Ceremonial Parade; Venues and Swearing in; Medical; Inauguration Dinner/Gala Night; Post Inauguration Luncheon; Accommodation and Children’s Day Celebration.

“The President-elect has also been requested to nominate 13 persons that will work across the 13 sub-committees. The sub-committees have been working round the clock to ensure that all preparations are in place for a smooth inauguration ceremony.

“The second committee is the Transition Documents Committee which is headed by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. The committee is responsible for compiling all policy, programmes and projects of this administration in the form of a compendium that focuses on this government’s nine priority areas.

“It is also in charge of ensuring the preparation of sectoral briefs and handover notes of the current administration for the in-coming administration. The Committee is working assiduously to finalize the compilation of these documents.

“The third committee is the Facilities, Security and Intelligence Committee. The duty of this committee is to organise necessary facilities, including furnished office and personnel for the President-and Vice-President-Elect and their transition team; Provision of security for the President and Vice-President Elect; Provision of covert and overt security before, during and after the 2023 Presidential Inauguration including venues of events, hotels, airports, entry points, roads and general surveillance of FCT. This committee is headed by the National Security Adviser (NSA),” he said.