Garba Shehu, media aide to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) has addressed the alleged rift between his principal and the national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu.
The rumoured rift between the two comes amidst Tinubu’s alleged presidential ambitions ahead of the 2023 election.
Speculations suggest that both elder statesmen are at loggerheads as Tinubu hardly visits Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock.
However in a statement released on Wednesday titled, ‘Alleged Rift Between President Buhari And Tinubu; Handiwork Of Cynics’, Shehu disregarded any rumour about a rift between Tinubu and Buhari.
The relationship between Buhari and Tinubu has been a subject of public discourse of late, especially as the 2023 presidential election gets closer.
He said, “The President and the Asiwaju have a very strong commitment to the All Progressives Congress towards bringing CHANGE and this is a commitment they have made to the Nigerian people.
“Recent reports of a rift between the two leaders of our party are false; the handiwork of some media mischief makers.
“It is quite unfortunate that certain sections of the media feed on birthing controversies, providing a nexus for naysayers who work behind the scenes planting such stories which are absolutely false.
“This administration is aware of pessimists and cynics who willfully spread misinformation to create doubts in the minds of the people about the relationship between its leaders and whether the party will remain intact or not.
“There is no doubt that the President and the party are focused on development, peace and security, restructuring of the economy and war against corruption in the country and will not be diverted to anything else. This desperate attempt to fool the people will not succeed.
“To President Buhari, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu remains one of the most respected political leaders in the country who has stuck to his principles in the face of all adversities. He was instrumental to the formation, growth and development of the APC into a formidable political party and the political alliance is waxing even stronger.
“If Asiwaju is not a frequent face in the Aso Rock Villa, it is on account of the fact that he is not a cabinet member of this government. The fact that he is not every day around the Villa does not make him less of a friend to the President and this administration.”
Meanwhile, a report from The PUNCH revealed that the President would chair the colloquium to celebrate Tinubu’s 69th birthday on Monday.
