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Speaker shuns presidential fleet
Speaker shuns presidential fleet
• IBB’s advice to seek ‘higher office’ unsettles presidency
• Okupe:It’s a free world
The
Presidency is poised for war with Speaker Aminu Tambuwal of the House of
Representatives over what it perceives as his interest in the 2015 presidential
race.
Presidency is poised for war with Speaker Aminu Tambuwal of the House of
Representatives over what it perceives as his interest in the 2015 presidential
race.
The
seat of power is said to have been ‘provoked’ by the public encouragement given
the Speaker by former military ruler, General Ibrahim Babangida, in Lagos
penultimate Saturday, to take a shot at the presidency.
seat of power is said to have been ‘provoked’ by the public encouragement given
the Speaker by former military ruler, General Ibrahim Babangida, in Lagos
penultimate Saturday, to take a shot at the presidency.
Babangida,
speaking at the Vanguard Man of the Year Awards Nite in Lagos had said: “When
leaders like Tambuwal deliver on their electoral promises, we advise them to
try something higher. For Tambuwal, your guess is as good as mine. Well done.”
speaking at the Vanguard Man of the Year Awards Nite in Lagos had said: “When
leaders like Tambuwal deliver on their electoral promises, we advise them to
try something higher. For Tambuwal, your guess is as good as mine. Well done.”
Tambuwal
was a guest at the event.
was a guest at the event.
The
Presidency, sources said, is also uncomfortable with the high level of
confidence enjoyed by Tambuwal with the opposition that does not see face to
face with the ruling PDP (to which President Jonathan and Tambuwal belong).
Presidency, sources said, is also uncomfortable with the high level of
confidence enjoyed by Tambuwal with the opposition that does not see face to
face with the ruling PDP (to which President Jonathan and Tambuwal belong).
Similarly,
intelligence reports suggest that Tambuwal’s comments on national issues are in
tandem with those of the opposition.
intelligence reports suggest that Tambuwal’s comments on national issues are in
tandem with those of the opposition.
Although
the Presidency and the Tambuwal-led House of Representatives have been locked
in a long –standing face off over budget matters, his alleged interest in the
2015 presidential race appears to have turned him into ‘Enemy N0 1’ in the
villa. Some security agencies, it was gathered, have already put him under
surveillance.
the Presidency and the Tambuwal-led House of Representatives have been locked
in a long –standing face off over budget matters, his alleged interest in the
2015 presidential race appears to have turned him into ‘Enemy N0 1’ in the
villa. Some security agencies, it was gathered, have already put him under
surveillance.
This,
sources disclosed has forced the Speaker to adopt a ‘discreet approach” in his
movement and activities.
sources disclosed has forced the Speaker to adopt a ‘discreet approach” in his
movement and activities.
The
strain in the relationship between him and the Presidency has now been fuelled
by Gen. Babangida’s comment that he deserves to seek a higher position in the
polity.
strain in the relationship between him and the Presidency has now been fuelled
by Gen. Babangida’s comment that he deserves to seek a higher position in the
polity.
According
to investigation by our correspondent, loyalists of the President have, in the
last one year, picked Tambuwal as a potential threat to the second term
ambition in 2015 even when there was no concrete evidence to show that he was
interested in the race.
to investigation by our correspondent, loyalists of the President have, in the
last one year, picked Tambuwal as a potential threat to the second term
ambition in 2015 even when there was no concrete evidence to show that he was
interested in the race.
Sources
said that Jonathan had twice taunted Tambuwal to know his mindset on 2015 but
on both occasions, the Speaker merely smiled and waved it off.
said that Jonathan had twice taunted Tambuwal to know his mindset on 2015 but
on both occasions, the Speaker merely smiled and waved it off.
A
highly-placed source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The Presidency is
uncomfortable with Tambuwal because of what it terms his anti-government
attitude. Besides the uncompromising oversight of the House on 2012 and 2013
budgets, the presidency sees the Speaker as working for the opposition.
highly-placed source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The Presidency is
uncomfortable with Tambuwal because of what it terms his anti-government
attitude. Besides the uncompromising oversight of the House on 2012 and 2013
budgets, the presidency sees the Speaker as working for the opposition.
“The
advice of Babangida to Tambuwal to go for a “higher office” has unsettled
Jonathan and his strategists on the 2015 agenda. The general interpretation is
that Tambuwal might be the candidate of the North against Jonathan.
advice of Babangida to Tambuwal to go for a “higher office” has unsettled
Jonathan and his strategists on the 2015 agenda. The general interpretation is
that Tambuwal might be the candidate of the North against Jonathan.
“In
fact, barely 24 hours after Babangida’s suggestion, two northern governors
called Tambuwal to know whether he would seek the presidential ticket on the
platform of a party other than the PDP. But the Speaker was just laughing.”
fact, barely 24 hours after Babangida’s suggestion, two northern governors
called Tambuwal to know whether he would seek the presidential ticket on the
platform of a party other than the PDP. But the Speaker was just laughing.”
Asked
why Tambuwal was non-committal to the governors, the source added: “The Speaker
felt the fear of the unknown about 2015 in the Presidency has been recurring.
There has been some drama of suspicion, twice, on 2015 between the President
and Tambuwal. For instance, during one of the consultative sessions with the
National Assembly leaders on 2013 budget at the Presidential Villa, the
President drew the President of the Senate, David Mark, closer to himself on
the sofa by saying, ‘after all, we are together in the same party.’ The import
was not lost to Tambuwal.
why Tambuwal was non-committal to the governors, the source added: “The Speaker
felt the fear of the unknown about 2015 in the Presidency has been recurring.
There has been some drama of suspicion, twice, on 2015 between the President
and Tambuwal. For instance, during one of the consultative sessions with the
National Assembly leaders on 2013 budget at the Presidential Villa, the
President drew the President of the Senate, David Mark, closer to himself on
the sofa by saying, ‘after all, we are together in the same party.’ The import
was not lost to Tambuwal.
“Also
during the inauguration of the Eko Atlantic City Project in Lagos, Tambuwal was
on hand in Lagos, among other guests, to welcome Jonathan. Upon sighting
Jonathan, Tambuwal jokingly said: “Your Excellency, you can see that I came
early enough to receive you’, but the President simply told the Speaker, ‘You
came as the presidential candidate of ACN.’
during the inauguration of the Eko Atlantic City Project in Lagos, Tambuwal was
on hand in Lagos, among other guests, to welcome Jonathan. Upon sighting
Jonathan, Tambuwal jokingly said: “Your Excellency, you can see that I came
early enough to receive you’, but the President simply told the Speaker, ‘You
came as the presidential candidate of ACN.’
“Yet,
the Speaker has not shown interest in the presidential race. He is still
preoccupied with the mandate given to him to lead the House.”
the Speaker has not shown interest in the presidential race. He is still
preoccupied with the mandate given to him to lead the House.”
Investigation
showed that another reason the presidency is suspicious of Tambuwal was his
remarks on Monday in Abuja that government should be cautious in granting
pardon to those who have committed economic and financial crimes.
showed that another reason the presidency is suspicious of Tambuwal was his
remarks on Monday in Abuja that government should be cautious in granting
pardon to those who have committed economic and financial crimes.
Another
source added: “The government regarded Tambuwal’s position as a way of
distancing himself from the decision of the National Council of State on
ex-Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha. The Presidency was hurt that Tambuwal did
not oppose the pardon at the Council of State session.
source added: “The government regarded Tambuwal’s position as a way of
distancing himself from the decision of the National Council of State on
ex-Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha. The Presidency was hurt that Tambuwal did
not oppose the pardon at the Council of State session.
“The
Speaker’s position also rubbishes security brief that Alamieyeseigha enjoys the
backing of Tambuwal. Prior to Tambuwal’s warning, he was sighted at a highbrow
hotel on Victoria Island in Lagos with Alamieyeseigha having a breakfast
session.
Speaker’s position also rubbishes security brief that Alamieyeseigha enjoys the
backing of Tambuwal. Prior to Tambuwal’s warning, he was sighted at a highbrow
hotel on Victoria Island in Lagos with Alamieyeseigha having a breakfast
session.
“Actually,
Tambuwal was eating alone before Alamieyeseigha tapped him and joined the table
for some talks. A South-South governor also teamed up with the duo.
Tambuwal was eating alone before Alamieyeseigha tapped him and joined the table
for some talks. A South-South governor also teamed up with the duo.
“Alamieyeseigha
and some government officials at the hotel left the table confident that there
could be a friend in Tambuwal. But on Monday, Tambuwal lambasted the Presidency
on amnesty for corrupt elements. This twist shocked many in the Presidency.”
and some government officials at the hotel left the table confident that there
could be a friend in Tambuwal. But on Monday, Tambuwal lambasted the Presidency
on amnesty for corrupt elements. This twist shocked many in the Presidency.”
On the
security surveillance on him, a source said: “The Speaker knows he is under
surveillance, especially on 2015 poll which is not yet on his political card.
But he is trying to be careful to avoid being framed up.
security surveillance on him, a source said: “The Speaker knows he is under
surveillance, especially on 2015 poll which is not yet on his political card.
But he is trying to be careful to avoid being framed up.
“Well,
like most public officials now, Tambuwal is hardly using his phone and he runs
an unscheduled itinerary known to himself alone.
like most public officials now, Tambuwal is hardly using his phone and he runs
an unscheduled itinerary known to himself alone.
“The
Speaker also does not use any aircraft in the presidential fleet despite his
tight commitments nationwide. He is now more open to some PDP leaders like
Chief Tony Anenih and two to three ministers to enable them understand his
person. He has told these people that he is not undermining the government or
working against President Jonathan.”
Speaker also does not use any aircraft in the presidential fleet despite his
tight commitments nationwide. He is now more open to some PDP leaders like
Chief Tony Anenih and two to three ministers to enable them understand his
person. He has told these people that he is not undermining the government or
working against President Jonathan.”
The
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe,
however denied any cold war between his principal and Tambuwal.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe,
however denied any cold war between his principal and Tambuwal.
Contacted
last night, Okupe said: “I am not aware of any cold war between the President
and the Speaker. My belief is that there is very obvious separation of powers
and activities between the Executive and the Legislature.
last night, Okupe said: “I am not aware of any cold war between the President
and the Speaker. My belief is that there is very obvious separation of powers
and activities between the Executive and the Legislature.
“In
terms of bills, there are areas of disagreement when the Executive do send them
to the Legislature which do not amount to cold war.” On the recommendation of
Tambuwal for a higher office by ex-President Babangida, Okupe said: “Why should
the presidency be jittery? If ex-President Babangida recommended the Speaker
for a higher office, there are other offices along the ladder. It could be
President of the Senate, it could be Vice-President. It does not mean the
President of Nigeria.
terms of bills, there are areas of disagreement when the Executive do send them
to the Legislature which do not amount to cold war.” On the recommendation of
Tambuwal for a higher office by ex-President Babangida, Okupe said: “Why should
the presidency be jittery? If ex-President Babangida recommended the Speaker
for a higher office, there are other offices along the ladder. It could be
President of the Senate, it could be Vice-President. It does not mean the
President of Nigeria.
“Even
if he recommended him for the Presidency of Nigeria, it does not call for being
jittery. It is a very free world.”
if he recommended him for the Presidency of Nigeria, it does not call for being
jittery. It is a very free world.”
Source: The Nation
