Buhari’s aides bar family, friends, ministers from seeing president
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- Four aides of President Buhari are said to control access to him as he continues on his extended medical vacation in London
- At least one or more of these four aides must give their approval to anyone who wants to telephone or see the president in London
- Apart from Ogun state governor Ibikunle Amosun, a very close of President Buhari's, two other individuals who are exempted from seeking permission to visit Buhari or call him are Acting President Yemi Osinbajo and First Lady Aisha Buhari
- A government source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the subject, confirmed the arrangement and the names on the list
First Lady Aisha is one of three people allowed unfettered access to President Buhari in London
Access to President Muhammadu Buhari in London has been streamlined to just a few individuals who are approved by some of Nigeria’s number one citizen’s very powerful aides.
The Punch reports that the aides have barred family members; friends and senior government officials who attempted to call or pay visits to the president in the United Kingdom.
Four aides of President Buhari are said to control access to him as he continues on his extended medical vacation in London, and they are:
1. President’s nephew Mamman Daura
2. Senior Special Assistant to the President on Domestic Affairs Sarki Aba
3. Buhari’s Chief of Staff Abba Kyari
4. Personal Assistant to the President Tunde Sabiu
The Punch learnt that at least one or more of these four aides must give their approval to anyone who wants to telephone or see the president in London.
A government source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the subject, confirmed the arrangement and the names on the list.
Mamman Daura, President Buhari's nephew, is said to be one of the aides that control access to him in London.
“The names you have are accurate and they are the ones controlling access to the President in London, even in Nigeria. Some ministers, aides and service chiefs tried to talk to the President on the phone, but they turned them down.
“The few people that have seen the President only saw him because they agreed to it. If they didn’t, it would never have happened, apart from Governor Amosun, who everyone knows is one of Buhari’s best friends.”
But there are two other individuals who are exempted from seeking permission to visit Buhari or call him. These are Acting President Yemi Osinbajo and First Lady Aisha Buhari.
However, Aisha, whose relationship with these presidential aides has not always been cordial, is reportedly unhappy with the arrangement.
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The Punch quoted a source in government, who spoke on condition of anonymity, as saying that Buhari’s wife has told close friends and associates that the cabal she complained about in her controversial interview with the BBC were still the ones in charge of her husband in London.
“The First Lady is not with him permanently in London, which should normally not be the case. She has had a few clashes with the cabal and she is not happy that they are also firmly in control in London. That’s why she goes and comes. She is not happy with the atmosphere over there.”
The powerful four are said to have turned down numerous requests from the President’s friends, associates and members of his cabinet to see him.
NAIJ.com recalls that Special Adviser to the president on media and publicity Femi Adesina gave a clear indication of this arrangement when he expressed great joy at speaking with President Buhari on Saturday, February 25.
Adesina, who is the president’s spokesman, has not spoken to him in one month although he had claimed he could have access to Buhari if he wanted.
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