The Presidency yesterday scaled down President Muhammadu Buhari’s two-day official visit slated for today and tomorrow.
“The truth is that the Vice-President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, will now represent the President in Lagos, said Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.
According to Shehu, ‘’The President is faced with scheduling difficulties and that is the reason for the postponement of the visit. He needs more time for Lagos and for Edo which had earlier been stepped down.
’As a result of this, the visit has been scaled down and he is being represented by the VP, who is going to Lagos to commission a few projects, leaving the rest for Mr. President. The President will undertake these visits after the Ramadan
The Muslim 30-day fasting period, Ramadan, may however not start until June 6.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, also confirmed the development, saying he was already in Lagos
It was gathered last night that members of the President’s advanced team consisting of protocol officials, security agents, medical officers and journalists were already in Lagos ahead of President Buhari when his trip was cancelled.
The cancelled trip would have been President Buhari’s first official visit to the state since he assumed office about a year ago.
A statement by the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, announcing the visit, stated that it would have been the first time in about 15years that a sitting President will be visiting the State on a working visit and is a testimony to the good working relationship between Lagos State and the Federal Government.
Ayorinde added that President Buhari during the visit, would formally commission the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) Rescue Unit in Cappa Oshodi built by the State Government to ensure prompt and swift response to emergency situations in the state.
He said the President would thereafter commission the newly constructed Ago Palace Way in Okota, Isolo after which he will pay homage to the Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty, Oba Babatunde Rilwanu Aremu Akiolu at the Iga Iduganran, Lagos Island.
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