Some ministers and other aides allegedly seeking to undermine the authority of Acting President Yemi Osinbajo have been secretly taking Federal Government files and memos to President Muhammadu Buhari in London, where he is currently receiving medical attention.
A report this morning in The Nation blew the lid open but disclosed that Buhari has reportedly been resisting the “attempts by some government officials, including ministers to undermine Acting President Yemi Osinbajo.”
The report said that Buhari “has refused to see such officials who sneak to the United Kingdom with files for his signature.”
It quoted unnamed authoritative government sources as disclosing that Buhari rejected the files and asked the affected government functionaries to take all documents and issues to Acting President Osinbajo.
“He has also refused to grant audience to ministers and some presidential aides who indicated interest to see him,” the report said.
It quoted sources as saying that the President insisted that his administration runs one Presidency and since there is an Acting President in place, any attempt to create a division by anyone would not be tolerated.
“It was gathered that one of the delegations that went on a futile trip to see Buhari returned to Abuja on Wednesday a few hours to the signing of the 2017 Budget by the Acting President.
“It was learnt that during the failed trips, some files and documents were taken to the President ostensibly for his perusal and approval, but he refused to act on them.
“In line with his belief in due process, the President directed that all files and documents be made available to the Acting President,” The Nation reported.
It quoted an unnamed top source as saying: “Despite the fact that he is fast recuperating, the President has tried as much as possible to stick to one presidency.
“He has refused to see some government officials who went to London to see him instead of being at their desks to work. He also returned all files and documents to those who brought them to London.
“The President gave stern instructions that all files, documents and issues needing decisions should be taken to the Acting President. He does not want a divided government. Buhari is living up to his Spartan discipline.
“He has restricted audience to two or three personal aides with him in London. This is why there are no leaks associated with his first medical trip this time around.”
The source added: “Those involved in taking files and documents to London had their ego deflated. Since their return from the various shuttles, they have been trying to curry the favour of the Acting President or cooperate with him. They did not know that intelligence report had exposed their antics.
“And the truth is that the President has been speaking with the Acting President.”