Contrary to reports from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), describing as false the reported dismissal of thirty five aides of the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo by President Muhammadu Buhari, the names of the affected aides and their portfolios have emerged.
According to Dailytrust, letters relieving the aides of the vice president of their appointments were issued to them yesterday, (Wednesday).
The report claimed that while some of the aides were believed to have been relieved of their duties due to redundancy, others were of the opinion that it was due to the unfolding drama of the 2023 election.
Top the list of those allegedly sacked included: Ajibola Ajayi, the daughter of former governor of Oyo state, Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi, who was appointed Special Assistant, Legal to the President (VP’s office) in August 2019. Ajayi was a former Special Adviser to the President on Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE, VP’s office, from October 2015 to May 2019.
Others are Lanre Osinbona, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on ICT; Imeh Okon, SSA on Infrastructure; Jide Awolowo, SA, Oil & Gas; Gambo Manzo, SA Political and Edobor Iyamu, SSA, Niger Delta.
The affected aides were said to have been deployed to different Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
The report quoted an insider as saying “The letters were distributed to the affected aides through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. They were not working within the precinct of the presidential villa.”
Another source disclosed that Osinbajo has retrieved the sacked letter waiting for Buhari’s return for clarification.
“The vice president has retrieved the sack letters from the affected aides. He is unhappy with the development and awaiting the return of the president from the United Kingdom,” the source said.
See the full list below:
Lanre Osinbona- SSA, ICT
Imeh Okon- SSA, Infrastructure
Jide Awolowo- SA, Oil and Gas
Lilian Idiaghe- SA, Research, Legal and Compliance
Arukino Umukoro- SA, Niger Delta
Bala Liman Mohammed SSA Economy
Edobor Iyamu SSA, Niger Delta
Dolapo Bright SSA, Agro-Allied Value Chain
Toyosi Onaolapo SA, Community engagement
Gambo Manzo SA, Political
Bisi Ogungbemi SA, Political Matters
Edirin Akemu SSA, Industry, Trade & Investment
Akin Soetan STA, Economic matters
Aondaver Kuttuh Technical Assistant, Rule of Law
Ife Adebayo SA, Innovation
Yussuf Ali SA, Power regulations
Tola Asekun SSA, National boundary commission
Morakinyo Beckley SA, Off-grid power
Yosola Akinbi SSA, NEC
Tochi Nwachukwu SA, Power Privatisation