Osinbajo empowered to perform presidential roles –Shehu Sani

The lawmaker, representing the Kaduna South Senatorial District,
Senator Shehu Sani, said in a Facebook post on Monday that since
Buhari had transferred power to Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, only
the Acting President was empowered to speak to the country
officially.

He, however, stated that the controversy over the Sallah message
by Buhari was avoidable, especially at a time when ethno-religious
issues in the country had been elevated to the front burner.

Sani’s post read, “There is nothing wrong with the President
sending Sallah message in Hausa language. He is on medical
vacation. He has transferred power to the Acting President. It is
the Acting President that is bound to act ‘officially’ on state
matters, including speaking in our official language – English.

“Understandably, we live in times when everything is sensitive
and subject to interrogation and interpretation. This is
avoidable.

“Let us pray for our President and our country, and work hard to
surmount our challenges rather than harp on the superficial and the
mundane. The Presidency should also periodically update the nation
on the progress of Mr. President’s health to neutralise
conjectures, speculations and ripples of rumour.”

In his own reaction, Senator Buruji Kashamu (PDP, Ogun East)
urged Nigerians to focus on the content of the message and the
intention behind it.

“I do not have any reservation about the message. Anybody can
use any language he or she feels like using to communicate,
depending on the position and location of the person.

“The President might have chosen the language without negative
intent. My choice of language can be determined by where I am at a
particular time and those around me.

“The choice of language by a President does not mean that the
person does not love the whole of Nigeria or love his people
(tribe) more than others. The issue should be on whether the
President of Nigeria is doing well or not.”

The lawmaker, representing the Kaduna South Senatorial District,
Senator Shehu Sani, said in a Facebook post on Monday that since
Buhari had transferred power to Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, only
the Acting President was empowered to speak to the country
officially.

He, however, stated that the controversy over the Sallah message
by Buhari was avoidable, especially at a time when ethno-religious
issues in the country had been elevated to the front burner.

Sani’s post read, “There is nothing wrong with the President
sending Sallah message in Hausa language. He is on medical
vacation. He has transferred power to the Acting President. It is
the Acting President that is bound to act ‘officially’ on state
matters, including speaking in our official language – English.

“Understandably, we live in times when everything is sensitive
and subject to interrogation and interpretation. This is
avoidable.

“Let us pray for our President and our country, and work hard to
surmount our challenges rather than harp on the superficial and the
mundane. The Presidency should also periodically update the nation
on the progress of Mr. President’s health to neutralise
conjectures, speculations and ripples of rumour.”

In his own reaction, Senator Buruji Kashamu (PDP, Ogun East)
urged Nigerians to focus on the content of the message and the
intention behind it.

“I do not have any reservation about the message. Anybody can
use any language he or she feels like using to communicate,
depending on the position and location of the person.

“The President might have chosen the language without negative
intent. My choice of language can be determined by where I am at a
particular time and those around me.

“The choice of language by a President does not mean that the
person does not love the whole of Nigeria or love his people
(tribe) more than others. The issue should be on whether the
President of Nigeria is doing well or not.”