Eniola Akinkuotu
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina , says the economic management team hitherto led by Vice- President Yemi Osinbajo was dissolved “for good reasons ” and also for “better management . ”
Adesina said this during an interview on
Channels TV ’s ‘Politics Today ’ programme on Wednesday .
When asked if the dissolution of Osinbajo ’s economic team signalled a friction between the President and his deputy, Adesina said , “Nothing out of the ordinary is going on.
“Governance continues and the Presidency remains one. And this Presidency just wants to do what ’s best for Nigeria .
“But , unfortunately , our country is one in which even if a 100 – year- old man dies , people will still want to find out what killed him .
“In Nigeria , there are too many inferences from things that are just normal and natural ; things that are designed to accelerate governance and ensure there is probity and accountability .
“They will find all sorts of inferences .
“All that President Buhari has done , particularly this week , is just to tweak governance and get the best for Nigerians. ”
The President ’s spokesman said he was not aware of alleged plans by the Presidency to remove the Social Investment Programme from Osinbajo’ s control .
He said the new economic advisory council , which will report directly to the President, could sometimes defer to the Vice -President when the need arises.
Adesina added, “ You seem to forget that the Vice – President is the Number Two man in the country .
“If the President is away, the Vice-President acts because it is a joint ticket .
“Therefore, the new economic advisory body can also relate with the Vice-President when necessary .
“It is just some Nigerians who want to drive a wedge between the President and the Vice – President that are reading meaning to everything .
“They insinuate [ something ] about everything. It is still one Presidency and decisions taken are best for the country . ”
When asked when the new economic council led by Prof. Doyin Salami would be inaugurated , Adesina said he had no idea but promised that it would be communicated to Nigerians in due course
