President Muhammadu Buhari was represented on Thursday June 2nd by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo during the launching of the federal government’s proposed clean-up of oil spills in Ogoni land, Rivers State, Nigeria, as recommended in the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report.
Prof. Yemi Osibanjo who spoke on behalf of the President at the launch reiterated on the governments commitment in implementing their campaign promise on cleaning up the Ogoni land as an effort to keep the land clean, inhabitable and productive place where the health of the people will also be improved ,
Prof. Osibanjo however did not mention the reason for Mr. President’s failure to make the visit as planned, but went on to say that the visit was a historic one.
It will be recalled that the President had similarly suddenly aborted his planned visit to Lagos state where he was meant to carry out commissioning of some major completed projects of the Lagos state governor, Ambode administration.
In the case of Lagos state aborted trip, official reason was given that the President was having some health issues although reports that reached us confirmed that the president performed official duties at the government house that same day as the Vice President, Yemi Osibanjo represented him as well in Lagos state.
In spite of the official reasons given to support the President’s decision to abort the two official trips to Lagos state and Ogoni land , River state, there were security reports that the President needed to abort the trips due to security threats from militants both in Lagos and River state.
Though these reports were not 100% confirmed from the presidency, it is believed that the reasons for the President’s sudden pull out from the trips were not unconnected to fear of security threats.
By SOE 9News Nigeria
