President Muhammadu Buhari has put off his planned and hyped two-day state visit to Lagos State.
Femi Adesina, special adviser to the President on media and publicity, disclosed this, and told journalists in Abuja that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo would now represent the President.
No reason was given for the last minute cancellation, which has received a lot of hype. Members of the President’s advance team including protocol officials, security agents, medical officers and journalists were already in Lagos ahead of the visit.
In a separate development, Garba Shehu, senior special assistant to the President on media and publicity, also confirmed the development, stating that the Vice President would only inaugurate a few of the projects, as the President would still visit Lagos after the Ramadan.
A statement signed by Steve Ayorinde, the state commissioner for information and strategy, earlier sent to the press, notes the visit is also a testimony to the achievements of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode in the last one year as well as the good working relationship between Lagos and the Federal Government.
Ayorinde said President Buhari, to be represented by the Vice President, on Monday would commission the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) rescue unit in Cappa Oshodi, built to ensure prompt and swift response to emergency situations in the state.
The President would thereafter commission the newly constructed Ago Palaceway in Okota, Isolo, after which he will pay homage to the Oba of Lagos, Oba Babatunde Rilwanu Aremu Akiolu at the Iga Iduganran, Lagos Island.
The commissioner disclosed further that the President would later in the day be hosted to a reception rally by the state at the Tafawa Balewa Square, where he will also commission and hand over security equipment and vehicles contributed by the Governor Ambode to security agencies.
The first day activities wound be rounded off with a state banquet in at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island.
On Tuesday, the President will participate as the special guest of honour at a breakfast session with corporate Lagos to be hosted by the governor at the Lagos State House, Marina, after which he will have a short session with the public service at the State House, Alausa-Ikeja.
