Chief of staff more powerful than vice president - Akin Alabi
- Honourable Akin Alabi has said the office of the chief of staff is more powerful than that of the vice president in a presidential system of government
- The federal lawmaker was reacting to criticisms that trailed President Muhammadu Buhari's decision to sign a bill in London
- The president's chief of staff, Abba Kyari, flew all the way to London with the documents for the Nigerian leader to append his signature
A member of the House of Representatives, Akin Alabi, has said the office of the chief of staff is more powerful than that of the vice president in a presidential system of government.
Alabi, an All Progressives Congress (APC) member, stated this on Tuesday, November 5 via his Twitter handle.
The lawmaker representing Egbeda/Ona Ara Federal constituency in Oyo state, was reacting to criticisms by Nigerians who took to social media to condemn President Muhammadu Buhari for signing a bill in London while Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was in the country.
Buhari's chief of staff, Abba Kyari, flew all the way to London with the documents to get the president to sign the bill.
In his latest London trip synonymous with his presidency, Buhari failed to handover to Osinbajo as required by the Nigerian constitution.
Alabi, a successful businessman turned politician, said the chief of staff is an assistant president, while the vice president stands in for the country's leader.
He went on to tweet it is not the duty of the vice president to take a bill to the president, adding that it is the job of an assistant like the chief of staff.
“The vice president has been excellent performing his constitutional duties and the ones assigned to him,” he tweeted.
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The APC lawmaker's tweet, however, enraged some Nigerians on Twitter, who accused him of distorting facts.
Some, however supported him, saying those criticising him didn't understand the context in which he tweeted.
Meanwhile, APC national chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole on Tuesday, November 5, while reacting to the criticisms, said President Buhari can preside over the affairs of the country from anywhere in the world.
“Wherever national interest is involved, the president is on duty and wherever he is, he is presiding,” Oshiomhole said while visiting APC senators alongside the party's top chieftains.
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Source: Legit.ng
