The cabals are back

Mamman Daura, Aisha & President Buhari

President Buhari left Nigeria on 19th of January for what was reported as a medical leave. Before he left, he wrote to the national assembly that he will be spending 10 days in London, United Kingdom.

By writing to the national assembly, informing also that his deputy will take over activities of government, he has fulfilled the constitutional provision.

The President is not yet back in the country more than a month, a letter had been written to the national assembly for extension of his medical leave.

This has created panic and apprehension, most especially from the Northern part of Nigeria where the President came from.

The Northern governors under the aegis of the 19 Northern Governors had a meeting with the top security military brass to get assurance that all is well.

Fortuitously, the top military and security are from the Northern part of Nigeria. They were appointed by President Buhari either by default or design.

The inner circle of the kitchen of the Presidency not leaving anything to chance, have taken over Aso Rock, the seat of power in Abuja.

Family members, friends and senior government officials have been barred to call or pay visits to President Muhammadu Buhari in the United Kingdom. The cabals have made it difficult to gain access to Mr President . They supervised and allowed access to the President.

The members of the cabals are the President’s nephew, Mamman Daura; the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Domestic Affairs, Sarki Aba and Buhari’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari. The only two individuals who are exempted from seeking permission to visit Buhari or call him are Acting President Yemi Osinbajo and First Lady, Aisha Buhari.

The media aides were also excluded from reaching their boss. Both Femi Adesina and Garba Shehu have been issuing contradictory press releases.

Femi Adesina announced to the nation that Mr President spoke with him recently more than one month his boss left the shores of Nigeria.

The First Lady is not favourably disposed to the way the aides have been managing access to her husband. The first lady’s relationship with the president’s aides has not always been cordial. In October last year, Aisha granted a highly controversial interview to the British Broadcasting Corporation, in which she alleged that a cabal had hijacked her husband’s government.

The First Lady is not with him permanently in London, which should normally not be the case.

She came home from lesser hajj with her daughter that came home earlier. She celebrated her 46th birthday in Nigeria without funfare.

Since Buhari extended his medical vacation on February 19, those who have visited him in his Abuja House residence in London include the Senate President, Bukola Saraki; Senate Leader, Ahmad Lawan; Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, Deputy Speaker, Yusuf Lasun; Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Chief Bisi Akande; Ogun State Governor and Ibikunle Amosun.

Governor Ibikunle Amosun was the first dignitary to visit Mr President in Abuja house in London. Governor Amosun is a personal friend to Mr President. The relationship dated back when both were members of ANPP (All Nigeria Peoples Party).

Mamman Daura was present when the two party chieftains, Tinubu and Akande visited the President in London.

Daura, who holds no political office in the present dispensation, has repeatedly been touted as the most powerful person in the present government.

Daura travels with the president and is often seen with him. Daura is believed to belong to the legendary ‘Kaduna Mafia’, an influential group of young northern Nigerian intellectuals, civil servants, business tycoons and military officers residing or conducting business in the former northern capital city of Kaduna.

Kyari is known to be one of the President’s closest aides. He plans Buhari’s schedules while ministers are said to queue in his office to see the President.

Sabiu, who was appointed shortly after Buhari’s election, is related to Daura. It is believed that the President is at home with him and cuts a new look Presn emerging powerbroker.

They are the ones controlling access to the President in London, even in Nigeria. Some ministers, aides and top service chiefs tried to talk to the President on the phone, but they were turned down.

As long at the situation persists, with the lacuna created by the absence of Mr President, these cabals are emboldened and have come to stay.