By Moshood Adebayo
PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has cancelled his two-day state visit to Lagos.
The state had earlier sensitised residents on the president’s visit and had even made arrangements for some road diversions.
The president’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina disclosed the development on yesterday.
He said although the visit would go on as planned, Buhari would now be represented by his deputy, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.
“The truth is that the Vice- President will now represent the president in Lagos. There is nothing wrong if the vice-president represents the president at functions,” he said.
Also, the president’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu confirmed the new development which he attributed to “scheduling difficulties.’’
According to him, the president, who had earlier postponed similar trip to Edo State needed more time for the Lagos trip and that of Edo State which he would undertake after the Ramadan which begins June 5.
Shehu said: “The President is faced with scheduling difficulties and that is the reason for the postponement of the visit.
“He needs more time for Lagos and for Edo which had earlier been stepped down.
“As a result of this, the visit has been scaled down and he is being represented by His Excellency the Vice-President, who is going to Lagos to commission a few projects, leaving the rest for Mr. President. “The President will undertake these visits after the Ramadan.”
Laolu Akande, Media Aide, to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in a statement yesterday said: “President Muhammadu Buhari will be represented in Lagos State tomorrow (today) on an official visit by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.
“On behalf of the President, Prof. Osinbajo would commission a number of projects in the state as part of the visit.”