President Muhammadu Buhari's cabinet members were shocked yesterday as he arrived the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa in Abuja for the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting ten minutes earlier than scheduled. President Buhari arrived at exactly 9.50am for the Federal Executive Council meeting which was billed to commence at 10.00am.
As of the time he stepped in, only 19 ministers as well as Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Babachir Lawal and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation Winifred Oyo-Ita were present. On his arrival, the president thus made a jocular remark: "It seems I came too early" and called for the recitation of the National Anthem. He then asked the SGF and the Minister of State for Environment, Ibrahim Jibril, to say the opening prayers. The meeting had started before Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Chief of Staff to the President, Alhaji Abba Kyari and National Security Adviser General Babagana Monguno arrived. They were, however, not late as they arrived the Council Chambers at 9.55am. Ministers who arrived subsequently for the meeting had to enter from the tea room of the Council Chambers.