Confusion As Buhari Swears In Femi Adesina & Garba Shehu Wasn’t

As President Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday, August 31, 2015, swore in his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina and other officials appointed by him, theres been questions why Garba Shehu was not sworn in as well .

The inauguration ceremony which took place on Monday, August 31, 2015, inside the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa in Abuja witnessed the absence of Garba Shehu swearing in as he also speaks for the President.

President Muhammadu Buhari had announced the first set of appointments into his administration on Sunday evening, May 31st, that Mr. Femi Adesina and Mallam Garba Shehu as his spokesmen. An announcement that brings to question the designation of the two media aide as their roles currently duplicate their functions as the Presidents media aides.

President Buhari officially stated that Femi Adesina will servce as Special Adviser on Media and Publicity. President Buhari also announced that Garba Shehu is appointed to be the Senior Special Assistant for Media and Publicity.

“So far the roles of the two men is confusing to us, the two of them issue statements and all speak for the President unlike how Reuben Abati and Doyin Okupe functioned in the days of Jonathan” says a source at the Presidential Villa.

The anonymous source continues, ” From what we’ve seen, Garba Shehu has been functioning independently from Adesina, not like Adesina is his boss but with the swearing in ceremony we are even more confused if Adesina is to be seen as the real spokesman of the President”.

Another top member of the All Progressives Congress  at the party’s headquarters says “Garba’s role is complimentary but should not be confused for a spokesman to the President”.

When asked why he’s been issuing statements on behalf of the President, he answered, “with the event that held yesterday, it is clear who is the mouth piece of the President, that way the problem with communication would have been settled”.

A senior media editor, Suleiman Abubakar who also shed light on the roles of the two noted, “I don’t know why they’ve been confusing Nigerians with their functions, clearly, Adesina should be the spokesman but it seems they need the President to tell them their job descriptions”.

“Garba shouldn’t be seen to speak for the President rather his role is to assist on how best to react to media issues and respond on general matters as it concerns the Presidency not issuing statements on Buhari’s official engagements as we’ve been seeing”.

Other officials who were sworn in include the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal and the National Security Adviser, Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno.