Buhari to arrest former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former minister
of defense, Theophilus Danjuma over their constant criticism of the
Buhari’s administration, prior to the 2019 General elections,
Pointblanknews.com has learnt.
However the arrest plan was resisted by Buhari’s Chief of Staff, Abba
Kyari, who pointed out the consequences of such a move on the two elder
statesmen. Former Director General of the Department of State Services
(DSS), Lawan Daura, also opposed the arrest move, a Villa source
confided in Pointblanknews.com
While the arrest and detention plan failed, it was learnt that el-Rufai
in connivance with the National Security Adviser (NSA) Maj Gen Babagana
Monguno (rtd) and the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC) Ibrahim Magu, almost prevented Obasanjo from making a
foreign trip by security operatives at the airport.
The source added that the resistance to the arrest by Kyari entrenched
his power tussle with el-Rufai over influence on Buhari.
In the buildup to the 2019 presidential election, Obasanjo and Danjuma
were fierce critics of Buhari’s administration. While Obasanjo in a
lengthy statement urged Buhari not to recontest on grounds of
incompetence, Danjuma had accused the military under, Buhari’s watch, of
colluding with killler herdsmen on ethnic agenda.
El-Rufai emerged on Nigeria’s national scene during Obasanjo’s
administration when he served as former Director General of Bureau of
Public Enterprises, the head of privatisation agency, and later as the
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja from 2003 to 2007.
He was very influential under during Obasanjo’s administration and was
considered a integral member of the former president’s inner cycle.
However, Pointblanknews.com can report that in the heat of the
criticisms against Buhari by Obasanjo and Danjuma, the Kaduna State
Governor leaned on his ally, the NSA, Monguno to insist on the arrest
and detention of two leaders.
Monguno in turn leaned on his protege, the EFCC Chairman, Magu, who
wrote a letter to both elder statesmen, querying them on some of their
past dealings.
It was further learnt that “Obasanjo was queried on the strength of that
letter and was almost prevented from traveling abroad by security
operatives at the airport. Part of the plan was to confine Obsanjo in
his house before arresting him,” a source told Pointblanknews.com.
The source added, “While Buhari was seriously considering to heed to
el-Rufai’s advice, the chief of staff, Abba Kyari, weighing on the
consequence such moves portends, advised the President against arresting
OBJ and TY.
“Former DSS DG Lawan Daura, also opposes the move. Kyari who has friends
cut across political divide opined that such would send a dangerous
signal locally and internationally and spell doom for the Buhari’s Govt.
El-Rufai’s suggestions was thereafter discarded,” the source said.
It was learnt that the Kaduna Governor, after that rebuff, started
mounting pressure for the removal of Kyari as Buhari’s Chief of Staff
before and after the general elections.
The source said, “el-rufai wanted the position of Chief of Staff because
of his 2023 Presidential ambition. He snitches to Buhari on anyone he
dislikes to create the impression that he is loyal to the President. The
Chief of Staff and other close associates of Buhari have all seen
through him and are battle ready to deal with him.
“Kyari has been the one creating balance for the Buhari’s government.
E-lrufai is said to have been a toxic to the government. His antics if
accepted, would have caused Buhari’s government a lot of headache,” the
source added.