Buhari's 'Cabal' Uncomfortable With Osinbajo's Popularity – Report

Even though the true state of health of Nigeria's President, Muhammadu Buhari is shrouded in secrecy, Nigerians cannot be ignorant to the body gesture in the corridors of power, in Buhari's absence. A recent article by Chika Oduoh in Foriegn Policy stated that while Buhari is in the UK for medical treatment, his aides are uncomfortable with Osinbajo's rising popularity.

 

 It’s times like these that political loyalties are tested, and when working closely with Osinbajo could be seen as abandoning Buhari.'' the report says.

    ''In Buhari's absence, Osinbajo has to launched a 60-day plan to boost the flagging economy, met with state-level officials to address the issue of skyrocketing food prices, and travelled to the restive Niger Delta region as part of ongoing negotiations aimed at stopping frustrated youths there from destroying oil installations.

    Osinbajo also made a surprise visit to the country’s busiest airport in Lagos, walking through the chaotic terminal to personally inspect infrastructure — broken toilets, non-functioning escalators, faulty baggage carousels, and dusty air conditioners — and call for much-needed repairs.

    Voices in the report:

    “What we have in Nigeria is personality-driven politics where one person monopolizes power and Buhari’s cabal sees Osinbajo as a threat to Buhari,” said Hashim.

    “Osinbajo needs to be allowed to do the work and fix the economy, but in the context of Nigeria, we can expect that some politicians will undermine him.”

    “Osinbajo is not a career politician, so he never even planned on being a vice president, yet he is already so much more than Buhari, who has campaigned 12 years to become the president of this country,” said Salaudeen Hashim, a political analyst and officer at the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center in Abuja. He added: “Buhari ran in 2003, 2007, and 2011 before he finally won in 2015. And now that he is president, Nigerians are wondering what he has done at al