The Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Buhari, Mr. Garuba Shehu, yesterday confirmed a June 18 report by The Nation newspaper which alleged that some Senior officers of the administration of his Principal took official documents to London where the President is receiving treatment for undisclosed ailment.
The Nation had reported that, in a move that seem to undermine the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, some Officers took files to the ailing President who is on medical vacation but the President refused to attend to such files while directing the officers to the Acting President claiming he runs a single Presidency and any attempt to undermine Mr. Osinbajo will not be tolerated.
The report also narrated how the President did not attend to Ministers, Aides and others who wanted to see him. The Newspaper quoted its source extensively as saying:
“Despite the fact that he is fast recuperating, the President has tried as much as possible to stick to one presidency. He has refused to see some government officials who went to London to see him instead of being at their desks to work. He also returned all files and documents to those who brought them to London. The President gave stern instructions that all files, documents and issues needing decisions should be taken to the Acting President. He does not want a divided government. Buhari is living up to his Spartan discipline. He has restricted audience to two or three personal aides with him in London. This is why there are no leaks associated with his first medical trip this time around. Those involved in taking files and documents to London had their ego deflated. Since their return from the various shuttles, they have been trying to curry the favour of the Acting President or cooperate with him. They did not know that intelligence report had exposed their antics. And the truth is that the President has been speaking with the Acting President.”
Mr. Garuba confirmed the main gist of this story yesterday on Channels TV while explaining the President’s absence. Watch the full section of the interview below:
