The Presidency has revealed the reason why the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress chieftain, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, does not frequent the Aso Villa to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, in a statement titled “Alleged rift between President Buhari and Tinubu; handiwork of cynics.” said Tinubu does not frequent Aso Villa because he is not a cabinet member of the present administration.
Shehu said “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.”
Reacting to media reports of a rift between the two APC leaders, Shehu said there is no rift between Tinubu and Buhari.
President Buhari’s media aide described reports of a rift between the President and Tinubu as false and the handiwork of some media mischief-makers.
He 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.”