President Buhari Receives Accolade For Signing Executive Order 14 2023

President Muhammdu Buhari has received accolades for signing Executive Order 14 2023, approving the establishment of a Presidential Transition Council to facilitate the 2023 transition programme.

Governor of Kebbi State, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Senator Goodswill Akpabio and former Governor of Bornu State, Ali Modu Sherrif, who spoke to State House correspondents on Thursday after the investiture of the president-elect, Bola Tinubu, and his deputy, Kashim Shettima, said that the Executive Order has ensured seamless transition from one administration to another.

Bagudu said that the transfer of the transition documents and the baton to the incoming president during the investiture ceremony was an innovation that would deepen democracy in Nigeria.

He says, “The events that we witnessed today are quite outstanding events for our nation; that Nigeria is celebrating the transfer of power from one administration to another.

“It is, indeed, as concluded by the president, a big gain for all Nigerian people because we have been particularly challenged by the economic environment the world found itself in.

“We have seen countries unable to manage transitions both in Africa and elsewhere; so, that we are doing so with fanfare, with cooperation of all, with celebration by all Nigerians, is a testament that Nigeria truly is country that has come of age.

“And that President Muhammadu Buhari superintended the award of the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) to the president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) to Vice President -elect, Senator Kashim Shettima in a very joyful, convivial atmosphere is a cause for celebration for all of us.”

Bagudu, who was nominated by President-elect, Tinubu into the Transition Council, prayed that the baton handed over to incoming president would be sustained.

“We pray that this baton will continue to pass on to future generations of Nigerian leaders in a united, prosperous, proud Nigerian nation.

“Equally, the transfer of transition documents, which was not done before, guided by Executive Order 14, which President Buhari signed even before the election took place.

“I’m privileged and honoured to be one of the two nominees of the President-elect in the Transition Council.  That is quite an innovation.

“The Transition Council had worked assiduously, guided by the Executive Order 14 to collate, process and produce documentation that guide and support the incoming government to hit the ground running.  I am very proud to be a Nigerian to witness these events. “

Historic and Epochal
Describing the event as historical and epochal, former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Goodswill Akpabio said it signalled a very peaceful transition of power from one administration to another.

“It is also a major sign that democracy has taken root in Nigeria and we are the beacon of hope for Africa.

“So, the international community the whole of Africa would be very proud of what they have seen here today.

“I must applaud the outgoing president for setting the record and signing Executive Order 14 to make this a normal event whenever there is transition of power from one administration to the other.

“This is wonderful.  It is setting the tone and setting the pace for continuous growth and progress of democracy in a very peaceful way,” Akpabio said.

Deserved Honours
Also speaking, Sherrif said the national honours conferred on Tinubu and Shettima were well  deserved.

“His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu led democracy in this country for a very long time.

“The culmination is he becoming the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and given the highest national honour to lead the country is deserved.

“Nigerians would be very pleased looking at what he has contributed from 1992 when Senate was dissolved to June 12 when he had to leave the country.

“Coming back, he became the governor of Lagos State and becoming president of Nigeria after building so many institutions, I think it is well deserved,” Sherrif said.

Confidence Okwuchi