Presidency: Govs not forcing Osinbajo to resign Leave me out of baseless rumour – Saraki

By Isiaka Wakili

The Presidency has dismissed reports that some governors are holding Acting President Yemi Osinbajo hostage and seeking his resignation.

The Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Political Affairs, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, in a statement titled “State of the Nation”, yesterday described the reports as a fabrication.

Osinbajo is currently acting as president following President Buhari’s vacation in the United Kingdom where he is also scheduled to undergo routine medical checkup.

Ojudu said that Osinbajo was in his office yesterday performing his task and had earlier in the day presided over the weekly meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

The presidential aide stated: “I have read many ridiculous stories saying the Osinbajo is being held hostage by some governors, who are trying to compel him to resign.

“I have equally received several calls regarding this. The story is simply not true. It is a fabrication. Don’t be a purveyor of fake news.”

Our correspondent reports that Jigawa State Governor Badaru Abubakar yesterday met behind closed-doors with Osinbajo at the latter’s office.

The governor left the Aso Rock Presidential Villa without speaking to journalists.

Meanwhile, office of the Senate President has dismissed “a speculation on some online media about supposed meeting of some Governors who held Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to ransom and sought for Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki to take over the Presidency.”

A statement by Special Adviser (Media and Publicity to Senate President), Yusuph Olaniyonu, quoted Saraki as saying “It is a good thing that the Presidency had dismissed the speculation and showed that there is no substance to it. However, I feel it should be known that those behind this baseless, empty and unintelligent mischief are those who do not love this country.”