Why Tinubu is not a frequent face in Aso Rock Villa — presidency

 TEMIDAYO AKINSUYI; INNOCENT OWEH

The presidency said on Wednesday that if Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) does not fre­quent Aso Rock Villa, it is because he is not a cabinet member of this government.

It denied reports that there is a growing rift between Pres­ident Muhammadu Buhari and Tinubu.

In a statement signed by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Pub­licity to the President, it said media mischief makers are behind the rift.

Accusing the media of birthing controversies, the presidency said President Buhari and Tinubu are both committed to bringing the change they promised to Ni­gerians.

It said Tinubu is not fre­quent at Aso Villa because he is not a cabinet member, not­ing that that does not make him less a friend to President Buhari.

The statement reads: “The presidency wishes to make it clear that there is no rift between President Muham­madu Buhari and his strong ally, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“The president and Asiwa­ju have a very strong commit­ment to the All Progressives Congress (APC) towards bringing change and this is a commitment they have made to the Nigerian people.

“Recent reports of a rift be­tween the two leaders of our party are false; the handiwork of some media mischief mak­ers.

“It is quite unfortunate that certain sections of the media feed on birthing con­troversies, providing a nexus for naysayers who work be­hind the scenes planting such stories which are absolutely false.

“This administration is aware of pessimists and cyn­ics who willfully spread mis­information to create doubts in the minds of the people about the relationship be­tween its leaders and whether the party will remain intact or not.

“There is no doubt that the president and the party are fo­cused on development, peace and security, restructuring of the economy and war against corruption in the country and will not be diverted to anything else. This desperate attempt to fool the people will not succeed.

“To President Buhari, Asi­waju Bola Tinubu remains one of the most respected po­litical leaders in the country who has stuck to his princi­ples in the face of all adversi­ties. He was instrumental to the formation, growth and development of the APC into a formidable political party and the political alliance is waxing even stronger.

“If the Asiwaju is not a fre­quent face in Aso Rock Villa, it is on account of the fact that he is not a cabinet member of this government. The fact that he is not every day around the Villa does not make him less of a friend to the president and this administration”.