Opinion

President Buhari and Osinbajo’s 35

Published

6 years ago

November 9, 2019

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

In one fell swoop, President Muhammadu Buhari came down hard on Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, cutting off 35 of his personal aides. The President had earlier a few weeks back disengaged a good number of the Vice President’s men in addition to stripping him of some of his oversight and constitutional functions. The move has generated discourse in many quarters, questioning the rationale and the intentions behind laying the Vice President bare in terms of work force and job description.

However, in a brazen show of superiority, even as the Vice President’s camp was denying Buhari’s action, the Presidency owned up to the action, saying it was part of the ongoing overhauling of the seat of government. It blamed the desire to cut down multiple authorities and reduce cost of administration as some of the reasons the VP had to be stripped.

“The exercise, which has been ordered by the President, is to streamline decision-making, cut down multiple authorities and reduce the cost of administration.

“It is also an appropriate response to the general perception that the Presidency has an oversized and bloated workforce which acts as a drag on efficiency.

“As may have been noticed by discerning members of the public, a number of political appointees among the few that served in the office of the President were not returned for the Second Term.

“The office of the Vice President, His Excellency Yemi Osinbajo has, in compliance with the directive of the President, equally been shed of a number of such appointees”, a State House statement by Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu, said.

The gestapo fashion with which the President and Presidency have dealt with and been dealing matters relating to the VP’s office has called for a thorough review, the good intentions notwithstanding. While everybody no doubt is crying blue murder, Osinbajo’s camp has however, maintained a dignified calm, in an attempt prove nothing is amiss.

Recently, the President asked the Vice President to seek approvals for agencies under his supervision, and moved the National Social Investment Programme from the Office of the Vice President to a new ministry. Also, the Economic Management Team, the vice president should chair constitutionally, would now be overseen by the President on the advice of the newly constituted Economic Advisory Council.

As if that wasn’t enough, last week, Buhari traveled to the United Kingdom on a 10-working days private visit without handing over to the vice president via a letter to the National Assembly.

But if the President is not back within 21 days, the Doctrine of Necessity law will become operational and Osinbajo ‘may’ be empowered to function as acting president. The Doctrine of Necessity law was passed in 2010 when late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua traveled out without handing over to his then vice, Dr Goodluck Jonathan. The then Senator David Mark-led National Assembly passed the law which also operates at the state level if governors travel without formally handing over and remain abroad for more than 21 days.

Adding insult to injury, Buhari, last week signed a bill into law while holidaying in London, sparking a debate in the country. In defence, the chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the APC and the presidency said he could rule from any part of the world.

Nigerians are worried at the way and manner the vice President has been cowed into irrelevance, and seems to send a strong to the Buhari Presidency to take heed before it becomes unbearable.

Much as it is obvious that almost all the Presidents so far existed in the country has not treated their deputies fairly, a great number of Nigerians are of the opinion that Osinbajo’s case has gone beyond the ordinary. It is therefore, imperative for the President to rescind his steps before tempers go higher than it is now.

But coming to look at it, the 35 sacked Osinbajo aides are just a part of the over 80 personnel in the Vice President’s retinue of staff, and one is tempted to ask what the VP is doing with much number of aides when cost cutting is being canvassed and the regular Nigerians are eating from hand to mouth, and in most cases, not eating at all.

If Buhari is cutting cost as he tries to make Nigerians believe, well and good. But his manner of approach leaves a lot to the imagination. This is a country highly polarised by ethnic, sectional and religious coloration, and the president must learn to trade cautiously. It’s time he changes his tactics; vendetta or not, to avoid an uncanny situation from yet unknown corner.

The 35 sacked aides were among no fewer than 80 aides of the vice president.

Opinion

Dele Momodu: Charismatic Gentleman @65

Published

5 days ago

May 10, 2025

Eric

By Yemi Edun

Aare Dele Momodu is undoubtedly one of the most recognisable names, voices, and personalities to emerge from the world’s most populous Black nation Nigeria.

Anyone who has travelled with Bob Dee would understand the magnetic presence he carries from Atlanta Georgia, Accra to Nairobi, down to Central London. He receives nods of admiration, requests for photos, and warm pats on the back wherever he goes. A true cultural ambassador, effortlessly at ease in rich native attire, which his commanding presence makes look truly majestic, he wears native outfits like royalty.

He is a consummate storyteller, an indefatigable workhorse, and one of the most selfless and hospitable people I know. His generosity is legendary. Mention Dele Momodu at any Marriott Hotel in East Africa, and you can expect the red carpet to be rolled out.

I was stunned at Kotoka International Airport as immigration and customs officials broke into chants of “Ovation! Ovation!” while we walked through, it was surreal but perfectly fitting for a man so deeply respected.

Bob Dee is at home with the old and young, with royalty and regular folk alike. There are countless moments that reflect his goodness, but allow me to share just one:

In Summer 2023, while holidaying in Accra with my family, Aare generously assigned his Ghanaian chef to us for two full weeks serving delicious meals until we had to kindly ask him to pause! Not long after, he flew into Accra and hosted us at La Chaumiere his favourite upscale French restaurant, where his presence is evidently cherished.

As my daughter and I prepared to return to London, we discovered shockingly that her passport had expired just a day earlier. I had to remain behind to resolve the issue. By divine timing, Bob Dee called to check in, and upon hearing the situation, immediately sent his driver. We spent that night in his elegant Accra home.

The next morning, using her Nigerian passport, we flew into Lagos. On his advice, I contacted Mr. Governor, and thanks to that call and Bob Dee’s understanding of the terrain, a new British passport was issued the same day.

Happy Birthday, Aare. A charismatic gentleman, who treats all with warmth and deserved respect.

@yemiedundf

Opinion

A Tribute of Grace to My Younger Brother, Dele Momodu, @65

Published

1 week ago

May 8, 2025

Eric

By Mama OluwaBunmi Adedayo

My Beloved Aburo,

Your heart beats with the rhythm of compassion,
Your laughter softens the storms of men,
And your pen—yes, that mighty pen—has built bridges where once stood walls.

Today, I speak not only with words,
But with the rhythm of gratitude,
The poetry of love,
And the dance of legacy.

You are more than a name—
You are Dele Momodu.
A spirit of honour.
A vessel of humility.
A generous soul.
A quiet strength wrapped in dignity and thunder.

In you, kindness flows like a river,
And generosity walks hand in hand with wisdom.

You have fed minds, lifted voices,
And sewn hope into the very fabric of Africa.

You write—oh, how you write—
With fire, with elegance, with truth.
You publish, you speak, you dream aloud.
You carry the soul of a president, even when the title passed by.

But allow me this honest moment:
As I turned through the pages of Ovation Magazine,
I searched for a picture of us—
You and I,
Captured in joy, frozen in memory.
But it was not there.

*Yes, I am jealous!*
I say it with a loving smile.
It’s alright… this time.
But when the next milestone arrives,
*When seventy comes knocking—*
*By the grace of God, we shall all be alive.*
And when that time comes,
Let my picture rise with yours,
Let our laughter live in history.
Let it not be forgotten—*again.*

So, as you are honoured today,
And as voices rise in celebration,
Know this, my dear brother:

You are deeply cherished.
You are profoundly celebrated.
And I—your sister, your friend, your family—
Walk with pride in your light.

May joy crown your 65 years,
And may heaven prepare glory for your 70th.

With all my heart and prayers,
Mama OluwaBunmi Adedayo

Opinion

Towards a Non-Violent Local Government Election in Lagos State

Published

1 week ago

May 5, 2025

Eric

By Tola Ogunnubi

The upcoming July 12, 2025 Local Government Election in Lagos State is a litmus test for the 2027 general elections.

The election of executives at the grassroots level to run the affairs of the Local Government has always been a mixture of peace and violence between leading political parties, aspirants, indigenes and settlers in the various area councils. Local government elections is a critical element of democracy and governance which provides a vital pathway for new political participants to engage communities and impact governance from the ground up in their quest for good governance.

In Lagos State, elections have always been characterized with violence and peaceful conducts. Clashes between APC supporters and main opponents’ supporters from the PDP have been reported from various parts of the state like Surulere, Agege, Amuwo-Odofin, Ajeromi Ifelodun, Ojo, Oshodi-Isolo and Kosofe LGAs of the state.

Election violence can diminish voter turnout, influence election outcomes, and erode public trust in the electoral system raising concerns about the legitimacy of results according to Yiaga Africa. Political parties should ensure that the local elections is not a zero sum game, whereby the winners takes it all and the benefits of good governance is limited and retained to only party members and loyalists.

The violence that led to the death of Jide Badaru and one other with several people injured in August 2018 in Surulere Local Government should not be allowed to happen again. According to the cousin of the deceased Mr. Babatunde Badaru, a former Local Government Chairmanship Aspirant in his accounts of the violence that characterizes elections in Surulere LGA.

The wanton destruction of properties, continued threat to lives of opposition supporters should be a thing of the past. Since it is a grassroots election, the African communal sense of being should be displayed during the elections. Perpetrators of electoral violence and their sponsors should be arrested and should be diligently prosecuted so as to deter others who see violence as a viable pathway to electoral victory.

Tola Ogunnubi ANIPR wrote in from Abuja Abuja