Presidency Speaks on Sack of Osinbajo’s Aides
Presidency says there is ongoing overhauling in Aso Rock.
The Presidency has confirmed the sack of 35 ides from the office of the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo.
This was confirmed in a statement released by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity tagged: “Buhari, Osinbajo will together script a glorious future for Nigeria” on Friday.
He further confirmed that there is, on-going and unprecedented overhaul of the nation’s seat of government, arising from which a number of political appointments have either been revoked or not renewed in the Second Term.
READ: Abba Kyari Behind Sack of Osinbajo’s Aide – Presidency Source
According to him, President had ordered the overhauling in order to streamline decision-making, cut down multiple authorities and reduce the cost of administration.
“It is also an appropriate response to the general perception that the Presidency has an oversized and bloated workforce which acts as a drag on efficiency.
“As many have been noticed by discerning members of the public, a number of political appointees among the few that served in the office of the President were not returned for the Second Term.
“The office of the Vice President, His Excellency Yemi Osinbajo has, in compliance with the directive of the President, equally been shed of a number of such appointees.”
He further stated that the main reason behind the exercises is to save taxpayer money and deliver the needed service to the public.
“As far as the President is concerned, there is no scope for an excuse for administration after getting a huge mandate to run the country for four more years.”
He, therefore, denied speculation of any rift between President Buhari and Osinbajo, saying the relationship between the two leaders remains excellent and trusting.
READ: ‘Your Humiliation is Total’, FFK Mocks Osinbajo After Buhari Sacked His Aides
“Together, they will script a glorious future for the nation. The media reports of a soured relationship are originating from the minds and mouths of mischief-makers, who are desperate for entertaining stories from the Aso Rock Villa with which to titillate the public. This ulterior motive is the basis of the wrong interpretation given to the recent exercise in the Presidency.
“There has been a streamlining of staff going on for a while. The President has always had fewer staff than the Vice President, and there were always plans to reduce the number of staff at the Villa.
“The streamlining was not personal or targeted to undermine the Vice President’s office, as the so-called insider sources quoted by the media appear to make it seem.”
The Chief of Staff to the President had earlier been suggested to be behind the sak.
He concluded that Buhari remains in absolute control of his government and the media should stop attributing non-existent powers to some people.
“There cannot be anyone too powerful for President Buhari to control.”
