Presidency Faults Saraki on Cabal Claim, Says It’s Mere Conjecture

Tobi Soniyi in Abuja

The Presidency on Monday replied to the claims by the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, that there is “now a government within the government of President Muhammadu Buhari”, which has allegedly seized the apparatus of executive powers to pursue a nefarious agenda.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, said in a statement he issued on Monday that Saraki’s claim‎ would have been more worthwhile if it had been backed with more information.

Adesina said: “If he had proceeded to identify those who constitute the “government within the government,” it would have taken the issue beyond the realm of fiction and mere conjecture.

“But as it stands, the allegation is not even worth the paper on which it was written, as anybody can wake from a troubled sleep, and say anything.”

Adesina said it was within the constitutional powers of the Attorney-General of the Federation as the Chief Law Officer of the state to determine who had infringed upon the law, and who had not.

Adesina said: “Pretending to carry an imaginary cross is mere obfuscation, if, indeed, a criminal act has been committed. But we leave the courts to judge.

“To claim that President Muhammadu Buhari is anybody’s stooge is not only ridiculous, but also preposterous. It is not in the character of our president.”