The Presidency has come out in strong terms to debunk news reports that President Muhammed Buhari is under influence from a cabal.
Punch news had reported on Sunday that President Buhari was once again being controlled by a cabal of his close aides and kinsmen from Daura.
In response, the Presidency has towed the line of US President Donald Trump and accused Punch newspapers of manufacturing spurious allegations.
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.
