Amidst growing concerns over the capacity of the Federal Government to run the affairs of government in view of the ailing President Muhammadu Buhari, indications have emerged that the cordial relationship between Buhari and his Vice, Professor Yemi Osibanjo (SAN) has continued to wax stronger, following the implicit confidence between the duo.
One of the presidential aides also confided in The Daily Times that the development has neutralised the claims of some sooth sayers who predicted problems for Nigeria over the running of the country without the president.
The presidential aide, who spoke in confidence because of the sensitivity of the matter, also disclosed that the loyalty of Osinbajo to Buhari saved the country from anarchy that would have ensued if the acting president had acted otherwise. The Daily Times recalls that when Buhari left Nigeria for the United Kingdom about 60 days ago to attend to his ill health, most Nigerians predicated a big vacuum in the Presidential Villa.
While some were of the view that Osinbajo lacked the political sagacity to carry on with the affairs of the government, some claimed that a certain group of cabal had hijacked Buhari-led government. But contrary to all the insinuations, the presidential aide on Sunday revealed how Osibanjo’s absolute loyalty to Buhari has saved Nigeria from economic crisis and political impasse. He also disclosed that contrary to certain misgivings in some quarters over appointments, he stated that Osinbajo usually consults with Buhari before making any appointment, insisting that the mutual confidence between the two of them is solid. He said:
“Unlike previous governments where the Vice presidents were seemingly over ambitious and could not be trusted about power and control, Osibanjo has remained calm and focused on what is good for Nigeria in due consultation with his boss. “Please note that Osibanjo has been in constant consultations with President Buhari and that he has never made any appointment without his consent.
“He usually reminds us that the president remains the president while the acting president is holding forth for him. “I can tell you authoritatively that the man (Osinbajo) is not ambitious. He is a technocrat in government. This is because if he is ambitious and a typical Nigerian politician, the country would have been in turmoil by now.
“Don’t forget that every power is now concentrated in his hands. But he has been cautious and circumspect in using the powers. But he could have acted otherwise and the result would have been catastrophic.
“You will recall that one of the former presidents openly disclosed that he could not trust his vice because he was too ambitious. He even vowed that his deputy would never succeed him, saying that, “If you turn your eyes or close your eyes in his presence, some documents in sensitive files would get missing. “Now imagine when the whole files and the running of the country are now thrusted on Osinbajo. And the man did not disappoint his boss who is thousands of kilometers away from Nigeria.
That is unusual loyalty and you cannot take it away from the acting president as he is humble and acts with dignity. The country is lucky to have him in charge in this turbulent period while the president is recuperating in London.” The presidential aide further disclosed that,
“As you can see, he is reluctant to swear in ministers in view of the pending cabinet reshuffle. Nigerians may not understand this; but I can tell you with high sense of responsibility that Osinbajo’s conduct in the absence of his boss has saved the country from anarchy.
The Daily Times recalls that there was crisis of confidence between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his Vice, Atiku Abubakar. The crisis was so serious to the extent that Atiku had to defect to another party, the Action Congress (AC) before he could realise his presidential ambition in 2007.
The development distracted the leadership from its real leadership mandate of service, as the focus was shifted on who won the big fight. The newspaper further recalls that the late President Umaru Yar’Adua never carried his then Vice President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan along.
It is worthy of note that Jonathan was never visible at the helm of affairs. The sickness of the late President Yar’Adua was so serious as he did not transmit any letter to the National Assembly that he would be going for medical treatment. The situation was further compounded by the activities of alleged cabal at the Villa who prevented Jonathan from acting in view of his boss’ absence. It took the invocation of doctrine of necessity by the National Assembly before Jonathan could become acting president.
It was only after Yar’Adua’s death that most Nigerians even knew that there was an agile Vice President. The ugly incident prompted the National Assembly to amend the 1999 Constitution whereby any ailing President is mandated in section 145 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to transmit a letter to the National Assembly, informing the lawmakers about his traveling abroad for medical treatment while his deputy will be the acting president until he returns and inform the lawmakers accordingly.
