Osinbajo Disowns List of Sacked Aides, Apologises to Journalist Brutalised by his Security Aides

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Spokesman to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Laolu Akande, has disowned a list of sacked aides of his boss circulating in the media.

Akande also disclosed that he had apologised to the Vanguard’s photojournalist, Abayomi Adeshida, reportedly beaten up by some security aides of the vice president at the banquet hall of the Aso Rock this morning.

The journalist was reportedly covering an event organised by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), when the incident happened.

The journalist was taking photographs of the vice president at the exhibition stand when security operatives pounced on him.

His camera was reportedly damaged while he was dragged on the floor right in the presence of the vice-president.

Akande in a tweet on his verified Twitter handle, @akandeoj, this evening, said the list of the sacked vice presidential aides is not genuine and urged the public to ignore it.

The VP’s spokesman however did not deny the sack of some of his principal’s aides by President Muhammadu Buhari.

His tweet read: “The needless scuffle btw a villa accredited photographer, Mr. Adeshida & one of our security aides earlier today has since been resolved. Incident is regretted & I have apologized to him for any embarrassment caused. Also, a list circulating in the media on d so-called sacked presidential aides is not genuine and ought to be ignored.”

Media reports claimed that grandson of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Jide and daughter of Abiola Ajimobi, former governor of Oyo State, Jibola Ajayi, were among Osinbajo’s aides sacked on the orders of President Muhammadu Buhari.

They were reportedly issued with disengagement letters yesterday.

See full published list below:

• Jibola Ajayi – special adviser, legal
• Lanre Osinbona – senior special assistant, ICT
• Imeh Okon – senior special assistant, Infrastructure
• Jide Awolowo – special adviser, oil and gas
• Lilian Idiaghe- special adviser, research, legal and compliance
• Arukino Umukoro – special adviser, Niger Delta
• Bala Liman Mohammed –  senior special assistant, Economy
• Edobor Iyamu – senior special assistant, Niger Delta
• Dolapo Bright –  senior special assistant, agro allied value chain
• Toyosi Onaolapo   special adviser, community engagement
• Gambo Manzo – special adviser, political
• Bisi Ogungbemi – special adviser, political matters
• Edirin Akemu – senior special assistant, industry, trade & investment
• Akin Soetan senior technical assistant, economic matters
• Aondaver Kuttuh – technical assistant, rule of law
• Ife Adebayo – special adviser, innovation
• Yussuf Ali – special adviser, power regulations
• Tola Asekun – senior special assistant, National Boundary Commission
• Morakinyo Beckley – special adviser, off grid power
• Yosola Akinbi – senior special assistant, NEC
• Tochi Nwachukwu – special adviser, power privatisation
• Bode Gbore –  senior special assistant, political
• Abdulrahman Baffa Yola special adviser, political
• Kolade Sofola – special adviser, infrastructure
• Ebi Awosika – senior technical assistant, community engagement
• Muyiwa Abiodun – senior special assistant, power
• Forri Samson – Banu special adviser, entrepreneurship
• Bege Bala – special adviser, BPE
• Feyishayo Aina – senior special assistant, community engagement
• Halima Bawa – special adviser, community engagement
• Nkechi Chukwueke – special adviser, community engagement
• Ilsa Essien – special adviser, media

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