The Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, has risen in defence of the trip of President Goodluck Jonathan to Brazil for a United Nations conference, just hours after three churches were attacked in Kaduna State, with reprisals following.
Maku told newsmen that since it is possible for Jonathan to take decisions from anywhere in the world, including when in the aircraft, he does not see any need for the criticism of the trip.
He said with Jonathan working harmoniously with his deputy, Vice President Namadi Sambo, the country had nothing to fear.
He said with the advancement in technology, orders and instructions could be given by Jonathan for execution while he is away.
Here is the excerpt from the interview Maku granted newsmen: “There is no vacuum, the most important thing is that the President and the Vice work harmoniously and are in constant touch. If the President panics what will the people do.
“The President can take decision from anywhere in the world. His absence will not hamper his power to act. Today, with advances in information technology, every President in this world, anywhere he is, can make a decision. The President even in his plane can give directives to any Defence Chief to act on any matter in the country.
“So, we are living in a new world and I think people should understand this. We should not play politics. The President can convene a conversation with his Defence Chiefs, with the Vice President even on the plane and he can do so in any part of the world today and the President is in touch with the country on an hourly basis.
“The Vice President effectively takes charge of affairs anytime the President is out of the country. We are running a democracy. We are not running a military regime where if the Head of State travels then everything wait until he comes back.
“We are running a democratic government that it is institutions that work and there is no vacuum for a single moment because the President is out of Nigeria. The Vice President is on ground with full constitutional powers.
“On Tuesday he (the Vice President) convened an emergency security meeting with security chiefs. If the President did not travel, the same people will condemn him for not doing so.
“We should stop turning the tragedy in northern Nigeria to politics. We are not being invaded by foreigners but it is our people killing themselves. The President has provided every leadership on this matter. Let people make meaningful contributions to how to end this and not to play cheap politics and engage in political blackmail.
“For those turning this to politics, they should re-examine their level of patriotism to this country. The debate has not shown solidarity with the President. What is required at this time is cooperation with the President. He is on a working visit to Brazil and not on a holiday.”