From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The presidency has explained that the reason President Muhammadu Buhari would work from home is because he needs some rest and would prefer that files pending in his office be brought to his home for his attention.
He disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents at the end of the meeting of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo According to Mohammed, the President needed some rest and has asked that all the files on his table be brought to him at his official residence at the Presidential Villa, Abuja for treatment. Wednesday’s meeting lasted for about two hours. The Information Minister said that the president needed to rest and had directed the Vice President to preside over the meeting. He said that the president has already called for pending files requiring his attention to be moved to his official residence. He said: “We just concluded the Federal Executive Council meeting, I’m sure you noticed that the President was not there. He was not there because he asked that he be allowed to rest and asked the VP to preside. “And he will be working from home. He has asked all his files to be taken to him in the house. He will be working from home today.” he added According to him, the Vice President will later in the day visit the President at home. Buhari’s failure to show up again for the FEC meeting raised concerns about his health. The Council Chamber, venue of the meeting was scanty with just 15 ministers out of 36 Ministers present. Osinbajo showed up at the council chambers at about a few minutes to 11 am. At 11 am while council members waited for the arrival of the President, his Chief Protocol Officer showed up and briefed the Vice President, obviously explaining that the President may not be able to make it. Osinbajo thereafter called for the National Anthem and opening prayers, which were said by the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu (Muslim prayer) while the Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole said the Christian prayer, that signaled the commencement of the meeting. Journalists were later excused from the meeting which got underway. The acting Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Dr. Habiba Muda Lawal was at the meeting. Lawan became acting SGF last Wednesday following the suspension of Babachir Lawal who is being investigated for alleged mismanagement of funds meant for the welfare of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and the development of the northeast. This is the second time Buhari will be absent at the council meeting since returning from a medical vacation in the United Kingdom, where he spent 49 days.