NIGERIA: Presidency denies rift between the President and Asiwaju Tinubu

Tinubu and Pres. Buhari

The Presidency has refuted media speculations over an ongoing cold war between President Muhammadu Buhari and the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on issues arising from the leadership crisis in the National Assembly.

It said big wigs of the APC were working closely with the President to deliver his electoral mandate to Nigerians.

Speaking with newsmen in Abuja on Sunday, the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Media, Mallam Garba Shehu, noted that challenge before the key leaders of the APC transcended the leadership tussle in the National Assembly as they meet regularly to discuss how best to deliver on its electoral promises.

He said Buhari had been busy working out an action plan that would include “taming the monster of corruption, assets recovery and making the power sector functional”.

On the ‘perceived’ rift between Buhari and Tinubu, Shehu said: “There is absolutely nothing like that. The President maintains excellent relationship with his friends and who are these people? They include Baba Bisi Akande, one of the most respected individuals that you see around the President; Asiwaju Bola Tinubu who, a week or so ago, was in Aso Rock and had a hilarious discussion with the President. Just two days ago, they were inquiring about former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to attend the Ramadan breakfast. The President keeps his friends.

“Sometimes, the things we read in the press amuse us because, as far as the personal relationships are concerned, nothing has dented the political family that the President keeps. All these persons I have mentioned realize they have a political party to build and they have work to do. They have obtained the mandate and they know they need to fulfill certain obligations to Nigerians. The expectations are high. So, they are not mistaken about the assignment.