With the return of President Muhammadu Buhari from London, United Kingdom, where he spent 104 days receiving medical treatment, the cabal in the Presidency has again gained control of power and influence, according to Punch.
The Buhari presidency has been dogged by persistent rumours and speculation that a group comprising some members of the President’s extended family and friends are the powers behind the throne.
This group is said to have the ear of the President, influence policy-making and determine those who get major appointments.
Among those identified as being members of the cabal were: the President’s nephew, Mamman Daura; the father to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (Muhammed Bello) Musa Bello; the President’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari; Samaila Isa Funtua and a few others.
While Buhari was away, Osinbajo who stood for him as Acting President held sway and won the admiration of many Nigerians and foreigners for the life he injected into government.
Although the Vice President was said to have consulted the President in London before taking major decisions, he reportedly did not consult the members of the cabal whose influence ebbed considerably during the period.
A source who is close to the president said, “While Buhari was away, they tried to ensure that Osinbajo was not in control of the government, by keeping away information from Osinbajo.
Kyari’s main job in the villa is to make Osinbajo look bad.”However, with the return of the President, the cabal is said to be back in power.
Reliable sources who are privy to the goings-on in the corridors of power described the President’s return as ‘bittersweet’.They claimed that with the President’s return, the cabal had taken over again.
“They seem to have a disproportionate influence on what he (Buhari) does, what he says, and who he appoints. This cannot be in doubt; it is the fact of thematter,” one of the sources said.
-Punch
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