Punch had reported, “The Buhari presidency has been
dogged by persistent rumors and speculation that a group comprising some
members of the President’s extended family and friends are the powers
behind the throne. This group is said to have the ear of the President,
influence policy-making and determine those who get major appointments.
“Among
those identified as being members of the cabal were: the President’s
nephew, Mamman Daura; the father to the Minister of the Federal Capital
Territory (Muhammed Bello) Musa Bello; the President’s Chief of Staff,
Abba Kyari; Samaila Isa Funtua and a few others.
The leading
newspaper had also reported that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was being
tele-guided by the cabal and was being made to purposely look
incompetent by the Presidents aides.
Reacting to that report, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said it was blackmail.
His
statement to the press reads, “As Acting President, Vice President
Osinbajo enjoyed the support of the Villa Staff and the entire cabinet.
Otherwise he would not have succeeded and earn the praises of the
President. `These are just a few among the false and illogical
accusations making the CoS larger than life, with the aim of pulling him
down. No Chief of Staff including this one can create hurdles for a
president and survive the next day. “The roles and duties don’t warrant
the kind of falsehood being spread.’’
“Publishing
poorly-researched allegations and trying to pass them off as
investigative journalism or as news may lead to more newspaper sales or
to more clicks on a website; but they will also, in the long run, slow
down the growth and development of our country, which right now requires
the absolute focus of President Buhari and his carefully-selected team
to build the Nigeria of our dreams.
“Unfortunately, this is the path The Punch has chosen and there’s no one to help them but themselves.’’
“It
is difficult to understand what anyone wants to achieve peddling such
falsehood that the President, himself a former military general and Head
of State and Commander-In-Chief is subject to undue influence and
manipulation. “It is both ridiculous and inconceivable.
“As
someone who works very closely with President Buhari, I can testify to
how my years of experience as a newspaper editor are often put to the
test by the sheer thoroughness with which the President edits every
single document brought to his desk.
“Every memo, statement,
speech, is subject to his intense scrutiny, right down to the placement
of commas and full stops. “Therefore, alleging that President Buhari
signs memos brought to him by government officials or a so-called cabal
without reading them, immediately casts doubts on the credibility of the
ubiquitous unnamed sources that the reporters of these articles quote.
“But,
of course, the President cannot do everything. He cannot micromanage
every task. “That is why he needs close officials, whom he trusts, who
will be willing to offend others in the process of ensuring his own
safety and well being, and the advancement of his vision for Nigeria.
Shehu
advised Journalists with questions to ask concerning the President and
the Villa administration to always contact the Special Adviser, Femi
Adesina, SSA to the President (Office of the Vice-President) Laolu
Akande or himself. “Where we don’t have your answers, we are ready to
obtain as much as we can, the correct responses to your enquiry,’’ he
added.
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