Eid-el-Fitri holiday stalls FEC meeting today, Buhari to sign Appropriation Bill

The regular Wednesday meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) usually presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari in the Presidential Villa, Abuja will not hold today, the presidency has said.

A statement by Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, yesterday said the cancellation was due to the Eid-el-Fitr holidays last Friday and Monday, which affected preparation of council memoranda.

In place of the event, President Buhari is expected to sign the 2018 Appropriation Bill into law by noon today.

FEC, as constituted, is presided over by the president and has the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, secretary to the government of the federation, national security adviser, head of service of the federation and the cabinet ministers as members.

By practice, the ministers receive council memos two or three days ahead of the meeting. This is because they, (ministers) are expected to acquaint themselves with the details and sometimes undertake research to prepare well for debate.

However, The Guardian learnt that there is no constitutional or standing rule that says FEC must be held every week.

When President Buhari’s administration came on board, it jettisoned the idea of holding the meeting every week, preferring that the cabinet meet when it becomes necessary. But the administration later reversed itself and went back to the status quo.