Justice Minister
Clears Air On President’s Duties
Nigeria’s
Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Michael Aondoakaa,
has said that President Umaru Yar’Adua had delegated his power
to Vice President Goodluck Jonathan.
Aondoakaa, who featured at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
Forum, in Abuja said that Yar’Adua chose the option of
delegating rather than transmitting power to the Vice President.
According to him, ’’ the way forward is that what we have now
should be used. What we have now is the delegated power. The
President delegated all his sensitive powers to the Vice
President, and we should continue to use it.’’
Aondoakaa added: ’’I say so because the way forward here is
that there ought not to be a vacuum and since he has delegated
powers, what is on ground must be used. We cannot wait for the
application of Section 145 of the Constitution but, at least,
the executive powers given to the Vice President are already in
his possession.’’
VP already performing duties
According to him, Jonathan has since been exercising the powers.
The justice minister, who said that people had been looking at
the issue from a narrow position, noted: ’’ The constitution
has made adequate provision for the exercise of executive
powers. The issue of transmission of powers to the Vice
President is one way; there is also another way on exercising
executive powers, and it is clearly defined in Section 5 of the
Constitution.’’
There are delegation alternatives
Aondoakaa said that apart from being able to transmit power
voluntarily to the Vice President, he could also choose to
delegate it in accordance with the provisions of the
Constitution.
He also said that the Senate resolution urging the President to
write to the National Assembly on his medical vacation was in
order, saying there was no attempt to undermine the
Constitution.
Aondoakaa also spoke on calls for the separation of the office
of Minister of Justice and Attorney General, saying that there
was no need for that.
’’In the law, there is office of the Attorney General who
must also be a Minister,’’ he said.
The minister said that he had no problem holding both offices.
NAN/Yinka
