Contrary to the official explanation of the Presidency as to whyPresident Muhammadu Buhari cancelled his official trip to River State, a reliable source at the Presidency has confirmed to this blog that the real reason Buhari stayed away was that there was a serious intelligence report that raised “security concerns.”
The highlight of the visit would have been to flag off the clean up of Ogoniland after years of oil spillage and neglect. Ogoniland is part of the restive oil rich Niger Delta
However, the Presidency today in Abuja insisted that there was no such thing and that there was no cancellation, rather the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo represented the president at the occasion.
In any case, it is public knowledge that Buhari’s planned visit to Ogoniland was widely publicized and intended as a publicity stunt for a president, whose popularity is on a decline. So much that the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike on the eve of the trip made a broadcast yesterday calling for calm and support for Buhari.
Even on Wednesday the advance team of the president had arrived Ogoniland. But while all were waiting for him in Rivers, he asked his deputy at the last minute to stand for him.
His Special Adviser on media and publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina wants Nigerians to understand that it is normal practice for the deputy to represent the president, as if he only knew that at the last minute. “We all went to school. There is a difference between cancellation and being represented by someone. The president did not cancel his trip to Ogoniland. He was represented by the Vice President”, Adesina said as if Nigerians are fools.
It therefore shows that it is still business as usual under Buhari despite a promise of change. A transparent government owes the citizens a duty to tell them the true position of things at all times.
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