Clement Nwankwo, a director of the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre in Abuja, has said, “People feel that the country is being run by a small clique of people who have taken over and are acting in the name of the president.” Nwankwo told Reuters this in response to questions on how Nigeria is being governed by President Buhari. Of concern to Nwankwo is VP Prof. Yemi Osinbajo’s minimal input in governance. According to Nwankwo, “There is great worry that the input of the vice president does not seem to be taken into account in implementing policies, especially on the economic front”.
But Western diplomats have a point about President Buhari’s choice in selecting decision-makers. For instance when he had to make some vey key appointments, Buhari appointed his “kitchen cabinet” from people he’s known for decades. The likes of his chief of staff Abba Kyari, who is also on the board of NNPC; his uncle Mamman Daura and Babachir Lawal, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. A Western diplomat, on this tough choices made by Buhari, told Reuters, “Buhari is deeply suspicious of politicians because of Nigeria’s history of graft. There are few people he trusts or regularly talks to to seek their advice.”
