President Bola Tinubu is currently presiding over the Federal Executive Council meeting at the Aso Chamber of the State House, Abuja.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; Head of Service, Dr Folashade Yemi Esan and at least 45 ministers are seated for the 10th FEC meeting of the administration.
At today’s meeting, the council will consider a memorandum for the approval of the “revamping of the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund,” PUNCH Online observed.
This came as the SGF, before the President’s arrival, drew the attention of council members to a change in item #3 on the agenda which was replaced by ‘Approval for the revamping of the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund.’
Tinubu inaugurated the FEC on August 28, 2023, officially moving meetings from the customary Wednesdays to Mondays.
Article 144 (5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) recognises the “Executive Council of the Federation” (the Federal Executive Council) as the “body of Ministers of the Government of the Federation, howsoever called, established by the President and charged with such responsibilities for the functions of government as the President may direct.”
The council’s purpose is to formulate policies, execute government projects, and, more broadly, aid the President in discharging his executive functions.
Domiciled in the Cabinet Affairs Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the council primarily comprises the President, Vice President, and the appointed ministers.
As Article 148 (2) of the Constitution states, the President is required to seek advice or act on the recommendations of other constitutionally mandated advisory bodies such as the Council of State, the National Security Council, and the Nigeria Police Council, among others, each of which meets occasionally to offer such advice and recommendations.
According to the CAO, “the FEC meets weekly to discuss scheduled items and take decisions.”
However, the Tinubu-led cabinet has only met 10 times within the past 31 weeks of its inauguration.
On October 16, 2023, the Information Minister, Mohammed Idris, explained that the council will meet only when there are memoranda to consider.
“The President has approved that Federal Executive Council meeting will now be happening on Mondays as against the traditional Wednesdays that we are used to.
“So FEC meetings have been moved to Mondays. Of course that does not mean that it has to happen every week.
“If there are no issues to discuss, it will be skipped to the next week,” Idris had explained.
Credit: The Punch Online
