Debate: if the President is internet savvy, and home is just a click away, does he need to transmit power to a deputy?

The Presidency may have unwittingly thrown up a subject of debate, which may, sooner or later, occasion a constitutional amendment. Topic: with the availability of digital technology and the internet, should a President transmit power to his deputy since his desk is just a click away?

The debate, still on social media, for now, followed comments by Presidential spokesman, Mr. Garba Shehu, that President Muhammadu Buhari can work from anywhere and attend to documents, as he is good at using the Internet.

He also lampooned critics over insinuations that President Muhammadu Buhari embarked on an emergency medical trip to the UK.

He said there was no emergency and that it was routine medical check up.

Speaking on ChannelsTV, ‘Politics Today’ on Tuesday, Garba said: “It is a medical trip, and there is absolutely no urgency or emergency.

“The President is not in any sick condition. It’s a routine medical checkup.

“The President has done this with a set of doctors that he has known over many years even before he came into office in 2015 and has continued to do that without any disruption.

“For last year, 2020, he couldn’t make it because of travel restrictions that were caused by COVID-19. It’s a routine and we are hoping that the President comes back after the check-up.”

Asked if doctors visited the President during the lockdown in 2020, Garba said: “The President enjoyed good health.

“When his classmates come visiting, you will know that the President is doing well. He chose this moment because it’s like a holiday season as Friday is a national holiday. So he’s taking advantage of the Easter season.”

Asked if President Buhari transmitted power to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Garba Shehu said the President was internet savvy.

His words: “He will continue from wherever he is. The requirement of the law is if the President is going to be absent for 21 days or more, then the transmission is warranted.

“So in this particular instance, it is not warranted.”

On what would be done if there was a need to assent to documents, the presidential spokesperson said: “Before he left, he just finished a meeting with security chiefs.

“He had excellent chat with the Vice President, Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Chief of Staff. So he has taken it all around.

“If it is warranted, these are transmissible by wire. The internet is there and the President is equally internet savvy.

“Therefore, work can continue without any obstruction from wherever he is.”

Asked if the President would take the second jab of COVID-19 vaccine in the UK, Garba Shehu said the President would have returned before then.