Outgoing Nigerian government begins transition process

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Nigeria’s outgoing government has formally commenced processes leading to a historic transition to a new administration May 29.

President Goodluck Jonathan, who lost the March 28 election, will transfer power to Muhammadu Buhari, the first opposition candidate to win the presidential election in Nigeria’s history.

The two leaders have met once since the election.

Mr. Buhari said weekend he will appoint experts to review briefs from officials of the outgoing government.
Ahead of the May 29th handover date, the transition committee held its inaugural meeting on Monday, to develop guidelines for handing over.

The meeting was attended by top government appointees, including, Attorney General, Mohammed Adoke; Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda; Head of Service, Danladi Kifasi, Director General of NAFDAC, Paul Orhi, amongst others.

Speaking to journalists after the brief closed-door meeting, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Pius Anyim, said the meeting, which took place at the Vice President’s wing of the Presidential villa, was adjourned to April 20.

The committee, constituted by President Jonathan, is expected to submit briefs covering all government offices to its partner committee from the incoming Buhari administration.

“The terms of reference of our own committee is to collate relevant information for the handover briefs from all the MDAs, prepare them and interface with the incoming administration’s transition committee,” Mr. Anyim said.
“Ours it to collect our own hand over briefs, prepare the briefs, prepare the President handover notes,” he added.

He said after the collation of briefs by the government committee, there will be an interface between the outgoing and incoming committees for necessary clarification.