No rift between Buhari, Tinubu — Presidency
…as Tinubu donates N50m for Katsina market fire victims
By Ayo Fadimu and Gift Keanyie, Abuja
The presidency has denied existence of any rift between President Muhammadu Buhari and the National leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
The Presidency who spoke through the Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu said the two leaders remain best of friends and political allies
The President’s statement came on the heels of recent media reports insinuating cold war between the duo ahead of the 2023 presidential election. There were also reports that the President might have instigated anti-graft agencies to probe the tenure of Tinubu as Lagos State governor so as to frustrate his presidential ambition.
However, Shehu in the statement said, “the president and the Asiwaju have a very strong commitment to the All Progressives Congress, APC 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.”
On the reports that Tinubu hasn’t sat down with Buhari in 14 months, Shehu said that Tinubu doesn’t have to visit the presidential villa all the time since he is not a member of cabinet.
“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 the 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,” the statement adds.
Meanwhile, in efforts to gain support among Northern Nigerians as well put smile in their faces, the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu has announced a donation of the sum of N50 million to victims of the Katsina Central Market Fire.
Tinubu made the announcement on Wednesday during a condolence visit to the Katsina State government and victims of the fire.
He was received by the state governor, Aminu Masari, and other top government officials in the state.
He commiserated with victims of the fire and advised that market activities resume despite the level of damages and destructions recorded.
According to him, life must continue.
The APC leader while addressing journalists said the purpose of the visit is to sympathise with the victims of the fire and promote unity.
He expressed shock over the unfortunate incident and emphasised the need to promote unity and collaboration among Nigerians adding that Nigerians must be their brother keepers.
The early Monday morning fire which gutted scores of stalls at Katsina Central Market fire destroyed goods and properties valued at millions of naira.
Eyewitnesses attributed the fire to the explosion from gas cylinders sold in one of the shops.
Following the fire outbreak, a six-man delegation from the Federal Government on Tuesday visited the affected market including the Katsina Government House to also commiserate with the victims.
The FG delegation was received by the Chairman of Traders Union Abbas Labaran Albaba and some selected members of the union including some victims.
The delegation went round with the market officials and victims to get first-hand information and access the level of damages in the affected areas.
The delegation includes the Minister of Interior, Ra’uf Aregbosola, Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, Minister of Police Affairs, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami as well as the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sa’adiyya Umar Faruq and the President’s Spokesman, Garba Shehu.
