Buhari sacks Osinbajo’s aides

Ebun Francis| President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday approved the dismissal of some aides attached to the Office of the Vice-President.

Daily Nigerian earlier on Wednesday reported that about 35 of the aides of the VP were sacked but a source at Osinbajo’s office who confirmed the sack to a national publication, could not, however, disclose the number of people affected.

He said, “It is true that many of VP’s aides were given termination letters last night. However, I cannot confirm the exact number because it was not done in public. But you know it is political.

“Some of those dismissed are those who have been made redundant since the VP’s duties have been reduced and some of the social investment programmes have been put under other ministries.”
The VP, who was saddled with the responsibility of running the economy as well as the social investment programmes in the first term of the President, is believed to have twice the number of aides that work directly with the President.

According to reports, Osinbajo has more aides than President Buhari. With the Vice-President said to have about 52 while that of the President is 25.

There have been reports of a rift between the President and his VP following attempts by a ‘cabal’ within the Presidency to water down the power and duties of Osinbajo since the beginibg of Buhari’s second term.

But the Presidency on Wednesday denied reports of a rift between the Office of the President and the Vice President.

Senator Babajide Omowurare, the senior special assistant to the President Buhari on national assembly matters made the clarification while briefing journalists at the national assembly.

Omowurare, however, could not explain why the President did not transmit a letter to the National Assembly, handing over responsibilities to the Vice President before proceeding to the UK for a private visit.