The Presidency has temporarily locked up the State House Council Chamber, the venue of the hitherto weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reliably learned that the action of the presidency was in adherence to the directive by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19.
NAN, however, gathered that President Muhammadu Buhari performed his normal presidential duties at his office.
The Taskforce had Monday announced the suspension of the council meeting until further notice.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation/Chairman PTF-COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, announced the suspension as part of additional measures by the Federal Government to curb the spread of the pandemic.
Confirming this development to State House correspondents, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, said the Council meeting was suspended because of the large number of people involved.
He said: “The Council was suspended because of the size. You have over 50 people seated in the Council Chamber whenever the meeting holds and that is not advisable at a time like this.
“But if there would be a very important decision to be taken, you can always summon the relevant people, three, four or five and hold a small meeting and arrive at a decision.
“It does not mean that one man is going to be taking all the decisions. Of course yes there are executive decisions but the ones that must pass through consultations of which must have a buy-in of the federal executive council can always be discussed at a smaller meeting.”
The Presidency had on Tuesday scaled down the number of personnel, including Journalists working in the Presidential Villa.
It stated that it was adhering to the current restriction in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) against the gathering of not more than 50 persons at the same time at any venue. (NAN)
