Politics
Buhari’s return: Aso Villa cabal stages a comeback, sidelines Osinbajo
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, SUNDAY PUNCH has learnt.
Penultimate Saturday, the President returned to the country to a warm reception by jubilant Nigerians, who thronged the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja and the roads leading to Aso Villa. Thousands of Buhari’s well-wishers also took to the streets in other parts of the country to rejoice over his long-awaited return.
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 the matter,” one of the sources said.
Speaking with SUNDAY PUNCH on Saturday, a former member of the House of Representatives in the Second Republic, Dr. Junaid Mohammed, confirmed the return of the cabal.
He said, “Off the cuff, one must mention Mamman Daura because he’s the kingpin and, in actual fact, he wields more power than the President. He knows; the President knows and those of them who are in government also know. After him, you have to mention the father to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Musa Bello.
“The son was made a minister, even though he has always been a card-carrying member of the Peoples Democratic Party. And, in fact, he was chairman of the National Hajj Commission for four years in a PDP administration. Then, when Buhari won, they made him a minister. Also, you have to mention the Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, who is the pre-eminent lackey and errand boy of the mafia. You also have to include one character called Dr. Mahmud Tukur, the younger brother of Bamanga Tukur.
“Essentially, you can say that between the Buhari administration and the Kaduna Mafia is a revolving door. Once you come from the Kaduna Mafia, you occupy a very important position and there is no doubt about that — the same revolving-door policy was operated when he (Buhari) was Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund.
“The names I mentioned are the prominent members of the Kaduna Mafia. Again, it is not a (definitive) list because they keep coming in and out. But one thing about them is that they believe they have a divine right to dominate the North, and if they dominate the North, (they believe) they have a divine right to dominate Nigeria.”
Speaking also, a chieftain of the Arewa Consultative Forum, Alhaji Mohammed Abdulrahman, who also said he was a member of the famed Kaduna Mafia, confirmed the existence of the cabal and its undue influence on the President. He added that the most powerful member of the group had always exerted a great deal of influence on Buhari right from his days as a military head of state.
According to him, Gen. Tunde Idiagbon, Buhari’s lieutenant during his time as a military head of state, often complained about the hold that Daura had on Buhari.
“Since his days as the military head of state, Buhari has been under the influence of Daura. It was because of the funny ways Daura and his people acted during Buhari’s regime that led IBB to overthrow him. You know what? Even Tunde Idiagbon complained about Mamman Daura.
“Whenever we went to Lagos in those days, we spent some time in his house and discussed national issues. Idiagbon discussed with us most of the actions he was taking then. Idiagbon said people like Daura were manipulating him (Buhari),” Abdulrahman disclosed.
Mohammed added that the cabal perfected a strategy that had helped them to sideline the vice president. “What they do is, they make sure they second-guess Osinbajo, what he’s going to do and then they go ahead and get Buhari to commit to a contrary opinion or a contrary line of action. They first try to see what he is likely to do; they don’t go and tell Buhari, ‘This is what Osinbajo is planning to do.’ They get Buhari to commit — sometimes, publicly — to a view, policy or thrust, which is contrary to what Osinbajo has been trying to bring up as a policy. They do that by frustrating him (the vice president) and making sure that he doesn’t have his way.”
However, the elder statesman did not spare the vice president, whom he said was attracting self-inflicted problems to himself.
“Osinbajo is a victim of his blunders because his advisers are tribal. It is a church cabal. He doesn’t have balanced opinions coming from all parts of the country. So, he ends up making some terrible blunders and they (Buhari’s cabal) find it easy to checkmate him.”
Expressing his fears for Buhari’s administration’s capacity to succeed, the ACF chieftain said.
“With the cabal still in the Villa, there is no way Buhari will succeed as a president. It is not for nothing that Aisha (the First Lady) cried out. Do you remember when she spoke about the hyenas and the jackals? They are the ones controlling Buhari now. The President must muster courage and drive away the cabal he has surrounded himself with. The cabal is a bunch of hustlers, fleecing the president and his family. They are not human beings. They are not interested in Buhari’s success.”
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, told SUNDAY PUNCH that he would not react to the claim, while the Senior Special Assistant to the Acting President on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, could not be reached as he did not respond to phone calls and messages.
A prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and close ally of former President Muhammadu Buhari, Farouk Aliyu, has rubbished speculations suggesting that the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) bloc is plotting to exit the ruling party.
Aliyu, a former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives and self-identified member of Buhari’s inner political circle clarified on Wednesday during an interview on Politics Today, a flagship programme on Channels Television.
“It’s not true; there is nothing like members of the defunct CPC wanting to move out of APC,” Aliyu asserted firmly. “Our certificate, the certificate of CPC, was part of what formed APC. So how can we leave? To go where? This is our party.”
The CPC was one of the major parties that merged in 2013 to form the APC, alongside the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). The merger paved the way for Buhari’s historic victory over then-President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.
Responding to recent reports surrounding former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s purported defection to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Aliyu distanced Buhari from any such endorsement. He cautioned El-Rufai against taking a wrecking-ball approach to the APC simply because he was overlooked for a ministerial position.
“If he didn’t get what he wanted, he shouldn’t bring down the roof,” Aliyu stated, adding that El-Rufai’s move does not represent the stance of Buhari or the CPC bloc.
He, however, advised the APC leadership to intensify engagement with all internal factions and legacy groups within the party to reduce political friction ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Politics is about engagement. Politics is about the interests of groups, people, and so on,” he said. “That is what we are saying: engage more—not only with people from the defunct CPC but even from the PDP. So that in 2027, there will be less competition.”
The Jigawa-born political heavyweight also warned against complacency within the APC, particularly as opposition forces coalesce around former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
“We cannot just sit by and allow strange bedfellows to take over the government,” Aliyu cautioned, expressing confidence that the APC would present a unifying presidential candidate capable of fracturing the opposition alliance.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has voiced confidence in his ability to lead Nigeria, stating he possesses the capacity to occupy the nation’s highest political office.
However, the two-term governor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) maintained that his current focus remains on delivering good governance to the people of Oyo State.
Makinde made this assertion during an appearance on Politics Today, a political programme on Channels Television, closely monitored by Mega Icon Magazine.
Reflecting on the 2027 general elections, Governor Makinde predicted a major political showdown, describing it as one between the Nigerian people and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), rather than a straightforward contest between the PDP and the APC.
“I don’t have any doubt that I have the capacity to occupy the highest office in this land and I have what it takes,” Makinde declared. “But what I want to do right now—is it what Nigerians are asking for? Is it what my party will say we should do? We don’t know; we still have a long time to go.”
In a moment of humility that reflected both personal conviction and political maturity, Makinde added, “Let me also say this: if my political journey ends here, I am also happy.”
His comments come amid a flurry of political realignments and coalition talks across opposition lines ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate, recently spearheaded a coalition effort with key political figures including former Anambra governor Peter Obi and ex-Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai. The coalition, announced on 20 March 2025, aims to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s APC-led administration, which faces mounting criticism over economic hardship, rising inflation, and soaring cost of living.
However, in a surprising twist, Makinde and fellow PDP governors rejected the Atiku-led coalition during a party meeting held on 14 April 2025. Speaking on the issue, Makinde insisted that while individuals may be free to explore alliances, the party must first set its house in order.
“Your house must be in order before you invite others,” he stressed, distancing the PDP from the idea of hurried mergers or coalitions.
Elder statesman and PDP Board of Trustees member, Chief Bode George, threw his weight behind the governors, arguing for a more strategic approach and advocating a southern presidential candidate to lead the party into the next general elections.
When asked directly whether he would contest the presidency in 2027, Makinde responded with characteristic clarity and resolve.
“Nobody will set an agenda for me. I will set an agenda for myself,” he said.
“People can say whatever they want to say. Right now, I am focusing on what the people of Oyo State have given to me—the task ahead of us. I am not distracted. I will not play stunt politics. I will not do things because it feels right in some people’s ears. No, I will stay focused to ensure we bring the dividends of democracy to our people.”
Makinde emphasised the importance of governance over grandstanding, highlighting ongoing infrastructural projects and policies aimed at securing the future of Oyo State citizens.
“If I want to contest, I will come out at the appropriate time,” he concluded. “One thing you should expect from Seyi Makinde is that he would never come out to say I want to do XYZ without preparations and without being held accountable for whatever he says he wants to do.”
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Tuesday received an enthusiastic reception from supporters and residents of Ihima community in Kogi State, despite a state government ban on rallies and processions.
By 8 am, crowds from the five local government areas of Kogi Central Senatorial District, which Akpoti-Uduaghan represents, had flooded the Ihima community in Okehi Local Government Area (LGA) to welcome the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker.
Several local musicians entertained the gathering as they eagerly awaited the arrival of the senator. Their patience was soon rewarded when Akpoti-Uduaghan arrived in a white helicopter, prompting cheers and jubilant applause from her supporters.
Addressing the crowd, Akpoti-Uduaghan acknowledged the state government’s ban but dismissed concerns that it applied to her visit.
“Yesterday, we heard on the news that rallies and gatherings will not be allowed, that roads will be blocked, and convoys leading into the state will not be permitted. I knew that we were the targets. But then I said, this is not a political season, this is not campaign time,” she said.
“We are not having a rally. This is just me, the Senator representing Kogi Central, coming down to her people to celebrate this festive time – Sallah – with you, and there is nothing wrong with that. I am breaking no law. This is Nigeria. We have the right to be free, to express our choice in gatherings and celebrations.”
Her visit came just hours after the Kogi State Government imposed a ban on public gatherings and processions, citing security concerns. The restrictions were further reinforced by a curfew imposed in the area by Okehi LGA Chairman, Amoka Monday, and a police warning advising her to cancel the event.
Despite these measures, Akpoti-Uduaghan remained defiant, insisting that no authority could prevent her from visiting her home.
“Nobody and nothing can stop me from coming home. I’m an Ebira woman; this is my land. I’m the daughter of the late Jimoh Abdul Akpoti. I know my roots; I’m not a bastard, and I’m not afraid of anybody,” she declared to the cheering crowd.
Ahead of her homecoming, the senator alleged that any security breach during the event should be blamed on Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
Akpoti-Uduaghan has been in the headlines in recent months, having been suspended from the Senate for allegedly violating its rules. Her suspension coincided with a sexual harassment allegation against Senate President Akpabio. Additionally, a recall process against her is currently underway. However, she maintains that her political travails are the result of a witch hunt.
-
Education1 week agoCisco Centre to Benefit Ayede Poly, Staff, Host Communities – Rector
-
Opinion1 week ago
Beyond the Blackboard: How Akinde Aremu is Reshaping Federal Polytechnic Ilaro
-
National Issues1 week ago
Gbenga Daniel Seeks End to Immunity for Governors, Calls for Constitutional Amendment
-
Metro1 week ago
Popular Akure Hotelier Assassinated in Cold Blood
