Former Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, has made explosive claims about the Buhari presidency, alleging that the late president’s prolonged health challenges allowed a powerful inner circle—particularly the late Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari—to take effective control of the federal government.
Speaking during an interview with News Central TV from 1:00 on July 14, 2025, Shittu said: “For a long time he was sick. He was reportedly sick. You recall that even during his first term, he had to be transported to the UK for, you know, all kinds of medical treatment and so on. Consistently, you know, he had to be. So people claimed that they were induced sicknesses from some of the very people who were very close to him. Perhaps they wanted him to be more of a weakling so that they could take advantage of controlling of government.”
When asked to clarify the implication of “induced sickness,” the former minister replied: “Perhaps. I mean, when a sickness is induced, you know, it could be devilish methods of doing such things. Or maybe it was poisoned. Nobody really knew the truth. But the truth is he was not himself for most of the time. And, you know, these minions, I mean, Chief of Staff… Abba Kyari in particular. And a few others, you know, were in total control to the extent that they were not even allowing the Deputy, I mean, Vice-President to have full and effective control.”
Pressed further on Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s position during that period, Shittu added:
“No, I mean, they blocked him from several things, you know. And, I mean, the man had just had to take his time so that he’s not seen to be wanting, you know, to accelerate, you know, taking over of the government. In an ideal situation, when a substantive officeholder like the President is sick, the Vice-President steps in immediately. But this was never allowed to occur, despite the evident sickness or incapability of the Vice-President. And, I mean, that went on for virtually eight years. Oh, naturally it will leave a gap. Ordinarily, the Vice-President is one of the most intelligent politicians we have in this country. Very articulate and has a lot of ideas, you know. But he was not to be, as it were. And, you know, these minions, you know, took over giving directions, giving instructions here and there and compromising a whole lot of things. It was very unfortunate, but that was the situation, you know.”
On his own exit from Buhari’s cabinet after the first term, Shittu made further startling allegations: “After my first term, I was not reappointed. And my suspicion was perhaps some other person had gone to buy my slot.”
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