EMT V EAC: The Battle For 2023, Power Play in Aso Rock; How Osibanjo was Side Lined ~ Ose Anenih

Yesterday, the 16th of September, 2019, Prof Yemi Osinbajo presided over the weekly Economic Management Team meeting. This was reported by his aide, Laolu Akande, Twitter handle @akandeoj

It was a routine meeting, and it adjourned to meet next week, as usual.

About an hour later, @GarShehu announced the dissolution of the EMT and its replacement, the Economic Advisory Council.

The VP, who is the Chairman of the constitutionally established National Economic Council, was excluded from the EAC.

He was not informed of this decision.

See tweet:

By last night, credible rumors emerged that there are plans to move the Social Investment Programme under the VP and NEMA, also statutorily chaired by him, to the desk of the new Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya.

This might explain Gov. Bala’s comments on a Fulani NLTP. See video https://t.co/G4q2QK4OL4

But back to the EAC.

Prof. Salami apparently says he was consulted but only about possible appointment as an Adviser to the President. No one told him about Advisory Council or about replacing or abolishing EMT.

People who have spoken to Soludo say he didn’t have a clue either.

This tactic isn’t new.

They pulled a similar move against the NLTP, setting up a National Food Security Advisory Council chaired by Buhari with Kebbi State Gov as Vice. Osinbajo isn’t on it. They asked Osinbajo to report to it.

The Council has not met since it was inaugurated.

Strategically, this makes sense.

What we’re witnessing is a grand plot to castrate Osinbajo, whom all the camps (Tinubu, Kyari, Littlefinger) must see as their most potent threat in a putative succession battle to Buhari (if Baba chooses not to go for a 3rd term bid).

They NEED to render him useless. So, everything likely to give him political capital is being taken away. NEMA & Social Investment are doing that: when you give hope to the poor, they love you

EMT gives him a technocratic calling card with cross-departmental & inter-agency clout.

The only problem, paradoxically, is Baba’s fierce loyalty. He trust Osinbajo. How Prof stayed loyal during Baba’s health crisis has made him a trusted ally of the President.

To date, he still has Baba’s ears.

Probably the most fascinating aspect for me, as a student of politics, is the Tinubu one. That he would allegedly sacrifice his own political son for his shot at the Presidency is a pure Machiavellian maneuver.

I don’t know whether to be appalled or to applaud.

As citizens, we sometimes need to look beyond the headlines our newspapers are ‘allowed’ to report.

We should all be worried that institutional structures are being weakened and undermined in the pursuit of personal ambition.

Anyway, before dem invite me for questioning, na conspiracy theory.

Disclaimer:

As an editorial policy, Breaking Times neither oppose nor endorse any opinion and contribution expressed by our writers and contributors. Contributions are strictly that of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Breaking Times.

Op-Ed Contribution:

Our platform is for you. Want to submit an Op-Ed? If yes, kindly send your article and short biography to youreport@thebreakingtimes.com