BREAKING: Fresh Trouble Hits Aso Rock
President Muhammad Buhari’s Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Shehu Garba, on Monday announced that he and the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, have now assumed the role of President, adding that any statement they make should be taken as President Buhari’s statement.
However, some political stakeholders are suspicious that, possibly, the revelation of Shehu Garba on Monday could also account for many decisions taken, including political appointments, by the Buhari administration. The stakeholders wondered if such an exaggeration to the president by the SSA Media and Publicity would not worsen the fear of Nigerians over who under the Buhari administration is actually in charge of the federal government.
They pointed out that before they go public, all statements from the presidency must be approved by the president.
They maintained that personal views as may have been demonstrated over time by Garba and Adesina could not be taken to be the statements of the President on important national issues. They added that in turbulent national crises, the president has an obligation to broadcast.
The stakeholders argued that the president speaking to Nigerian people could not be equated with speaking for the president. On Channels Television morning show, Sunrise Daily, monitored from Lagos, Shehu Garba disputed the Senate Minority Leader’s criticism of the president, Senator Enyinaya Abaribe, over the conspicuous silence on the abuse and crimes of herdsmen across Nigeria.
Shehu Garba countered Abaribe’s criticism, stating that, as the Senate Minority Leader has claimed, the president has not been quiet about the country’s insecurity crisis. He maintained that the comments to the President, Femi Adesina, released by him and the S.A., Media and Publicity, should be recognized as ‘synonymous’ with the president’s statements.
Nevertheless, Garba pointed out that the president has been taking measures to curb the wave of crime in the country, and needs the support of all Nigerians to succeed. If Femi Adesina or myself speaks for the President, people should agree that it is the President who speaks,” the S.S.A. Media said.” It is the actions of this President that should speak for him. He’s not a showman here. He hasn’t got to be there.
And let us understand, there’s nothing we’re trying to personalise. Senator Abaribe dwelt a lot, attacking President Muhammadu Buhari, saying that he has not, even at a rhetorical level, spoken against this kind of violence.
“Most uncharitable, that is. This country has difficulties. It needs everyone’s participation. Both the hands have to be on the deck.’
