By Akeem Oyetunji
The Office of Nigeria’s Vice President has finally confirmed that indeed, some aides of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, have been relieved of their jobs.
Recall that on Wednesday, dozens of aides of the embattled Vice President were reportedly sacked through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) on the order of President Muhammad Buhari, who is on a two-week vacation in the United Kingdom.
Earlier on Thursday, Daily Trust newspapers in a report exclusively unveiled names and portfolios of the 35 Osinbajo’s aides sacked by the President.
According to the newspapers, Mr Osinbajo has over 80 aides attached to his office but not all of them work within the Presidential Villa.
Reacting on Thursday, Media Aide to the Vice President, Laolu Akande, said as a footnote to tweets that the list of sacked aides is not genuine hence, should be ignored.
He, however, did not deny the fact that some aides of his Principal have been sacked.
Akande, via his Twitter, handle @akandeoj had tweeted that the scuffle earlier in the day between Vanguard photojournalist attached to the Presidential Villa, Abayomi Adeshida and security aides to the Vice President had been resolved.
He, however, added a footnote that “Also, a list circulating in the media on d so-called sacked …
“…presidential aides is not genuine and ought to be ignored.”
“The needless scuffle btw a villa accredited photographer, Mr. Adeshida & one of our security aides earlier today has since been resolved. Incident is regretted & I have apologized to him for any embarrassment caused. Also, a list circulating in the media on d so-called sacked …
…presidential aides is not genuine and ought to be ignored,” Akande tweeted.
Those on the list of sacked Osinbajo’s aides unveiled by Daily Trust are:
Jibola Ajayi (Daughter of Ex-Gov Ajimobi) – SA, Legal
Lanre Osinbona. – SSA, ICT
Imeh Okon- SSA. – Infrastructure
Jide AwoMedia – SA, Oil, and Gas
Lilian Idiaghe- SA, Research, Legal and Compliance
Arukino Umukoro- SA, Niger Delta
Bala Liman Mohammed SSA Economy
Edobor Iyamu SSA, Niger Delta
Dolapo Bright SSA, Agro-Allied Value Chain
Toyosi Onaolapo SA, Community engagement
Gambo Manzo SA, Political
Bisi Ogungbemi SA, Political Matters
Edirin Akemu SSA, Industry, Trade & Investment
Akin Soetan STA,
Economic matters
Aondaver Kuttuh Technical Assistant, Rule of Law
Ife Adebayo SA, Innovation
Yussuf Ali SA, Power regulations
Tola Asekun SSA, National boundary commission
Morakinyo Beckley SA, Off-grid power
Yosola Akinbi SSA, NEC
Tochi Nwachukwu SA, Power Privatisation
Bode Gbore SSA, Political
Abdulrahman Baffa Yola SA, Political
Kolade Sofola SA, Infrastructure
Ebi Awosika STA, Community Engagement
Muyiwa Abiodun SSA, Power
Forri Samson Banu SA, Entrepreneurship
Bege Bala SA, BPE
Feyishayo Aina SA, Community engagement
Halima Bawa SA, Community Engagement
Nkechi Chukwueke SA, Community engagement
Ilsa Essien SA, Media
Prompt News Online reports that the powers of Vice President Osinbajo have been whittled down lately with key agencies of government moved from his office to the newly created Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development being superintended by Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouk.
Recall that President Buhari recently dissolved the Economic Management Team headed by Mr Osinbajo while an Economic Advisory Council headed by Prof Doyin Salami was constituted and subsequently inaugurated. The council will report directly to the President.
Political pundits believe that the signing into law of a Bill by President Buhari who is on vacation in London is part of plans orchestrated by ‘the Cabal’ to frustrate Vice President Osinbajo to resign from office.
