Presidency Opens Up On Quarrel Between Buhari And Tinubu

Presidency Opens Up On Quarrel Between Buhari And Tinubu

Since the coup that led to the emergence of Bukola Saraki as Senate President, a lot has been said about the alleged quarrel between President Muhammadu Buhari and APC national leader, Bola Tinubu.

But the Presidency has finally debunked claims of a bitter rift between President Buhari and Asiwaju.

Describing as “unfortunate” the emergence of Senator Ike Ekweremadu as Deputy Senate President in the Senate with majority APC members, the Presidency said the party’s leaders were working closely with the President to deliver his electoral mandate to Nigerians.

According to the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Media, Mallam Garba Shehu, the challenge before the key leaders of the APC transcends the leadership tussle in the National Assembly as they meet regularly to discuss how best to meet the expectations of Nigerians.

Shehu, who spoke to our correspondent in an exclusive interview yesterday in Abuja, said the perception by a section of the populace that the President is slow in effecting change is misplaced as he was taking his time to sort out the huge mess left behind by the Jonathan administration.

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 realise they have a political party to build and they have work to do. They have obtained the mandate and they know they need to fulfil certain obligations to Nigerians. The expectations are high. So, they are not mistaken about the assignment.”