Nigeria’s Presidency has said reports of a rift between President Muhammadu Buhari and a leader of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, are the handiwork of some media mischief makers.
The West African country’s president is rather focused on development, security and war against corruption in the country and will not be diverted to anything else, Buhari’s media aide Garba Shehu said in a statement on Wednesday.
Shehu said both individuals remain strong allies and are committed to the APC’s vision of bringing “change” to Nigerians.
“Recent reports of a rift between the two leaders of our party are false; the handiwork of some media mischief makers,” Shehu said.
“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.
By Abel Ejikeme