Don’t Create Parallel Govt, FEC Tells Buhari

President Goodluck Jonathan’s outgoing administration has warned the incoming government of Present-elect Muhammadu Buhari to avoid actions that seem as if it is creating a parallel government when a government is still in place.

Specifically, the Federal Executive Council (FEC), at its weekly meeting yesterday, raised an objection to some terms of reference tabled before it by the transition committee of the incoming All Progressives Congress (APC) government.

Minister of National Planning, Mr Abubakar Suleiman, and his Information counterpart, Mrs Patricia Akwashiki, who briefed journalists after the FEC meeting presided over by the president, said Council warmed that Jonathan’s magnanimity should not be interpreted to mean he was cowardly.

Suleiman noted that FEC opposed the terms of reference of the incoming government’s transition committee, and advised its (Council) members to comply strictly with “the terms of reference as formatted by our (federal government’s) transition committee”.

According to him, FEC observed that the terms of reference of the incoming government’s inauguration committee looked as if the outgoing Jonathan’s government was being intimidated, and warned against any actions that make it look as though they is a parallel administration in place.

He said, “We did receive from the incoming government’s transition committee some terms of reference which we looked at critically, and council did agree that the Dr Goodluck Jonathan government remains the current government of this country.

“The incoming government should avoid creating a parallel government while the government is still on. We take exceptions to some utterances of some of the terms of reference that look as if the current government is being stampeded or intimidated.

“Council frowned at most of the statements and most of the provisions and Council members are advised to work in line with the terms of reference of the current government.

“The magnanimity of Mr President should not be taken to be cowardice and that is why Mr President and indeed Council members enjoined Nigerian people to see the olive branch extended to Nigerians and international community as a way of keeping this country intact, as a way of ensuring peace in Nigeria, and as such whatever the outcome of the election, what is important is that Nigeria’s national interest should be protected, enhanced and promoted at whatever level we are.”

The minister noted that when the incoming government takes over government, it can bring out its own programmes, its own agenda, and the policies it wants to implement, but until then “this government remains resolute in the various programmes and projects it is pursuing and the government will continue to do that until morning of May 29”.

He added that while the current administration lasted, Jonathan enjoined its officials to continue with their programmes, come out with projects to be commissioned, those that need to be inspected, and to continue to work as government and perform their work without intimidation, especially civil servants.

“Directors-general should see this government as the current government and not do anything that will rock the boat so as not to put this country in a bad light,” he said.

On the progress report from government ministries, agencies and departments, the minister said: “We did mention to Council that as at yesterday, April 28, almost all the MDAs that were advised to submit briefs, handing over notes have compiled except for one or two ministries.

“The committee is having on ground right now two versions of presentations. We have the executive summaries of all the MDAs handover notes and the entire handover notes from almost all the MDAs. The transition process is on course in terms of handover notes and briefs. We have covered almost 80 per cent of our assignments.

“I want to tell you that as at yesterday, the chairman of the incoming transition committee, Mallam Ahmed Joda, conferred with the chairman of the transition committee of the current government, Vice President Namadi Sambo. They had a very robust discussion and they are working together as a family and, I want to believe, for the good of this country things will work”. (Leadership)