Laolu Akande: Laws will be invoked to ensure implementation of executive orders

Laolu Akande, spokesman of Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, says existing civil service laws will be evoked to ensure the implementation of executive orders which the acting president signed last week.

Speaking on Tuesday at a press briefing to commemorate the second anniversary of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, Akande said the orders were meant to ensure the restoration of the business clime.

He said Osinbajo will meet with about 2000 public and civil servants on Wednesday to interact with them and make them realise the role they ought to play in the implementation of the orders.

Presidential spokesmen, Femi Adesina and Garba Shehu, also spoke at the briefing.

“There are rules in the civil service and these rules will be invoked if anyone tries to go against the orders,” Akande said.

“The acting president is meeting with 2000 public and civil servants who will be in charge of the implementation. We want to change the orientation of Nigerians” Akande said.

The newly signed executive orders are targeted at transparency in ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

Adesina spoke on the possible replacement of Chinelo Anohu-Amazu, sacked director-general of the National Pension’s Commission (PenCom), and the senate’s rejection of Dikko Aliyu Abdulrahman, who was sent as her replacement.

“It is a developing story… it is still being looked at. No name has been transmitted to the senate for now and that tells you the matter is still being looked at.”

He also denied the reports that the government paid 2million Euros to secure the release of the 82 Chibok girls.

“No two million Euros was paid anywhere. If there was any payment, the government would have told Nigerians,” he said.

“Anytime this government pays a dime for their release, it will make it public.”