Aminu Shehu, an aide to Zamfara West senator, Abdulaziz Yari, has refuted reports that the former Zamfara State governor said President Bola Tinubu is ‘caged’ inside the Presidential Villa.
DAILY POST reports that Yari was quoted to have made the claim in his speech at the One Nigeria Project Conference in Abuja on Wednesday. Yari was also reported as saying that the Nigerian Presidency is being run from outside the Presidential Villa.
However, Shehu in a statement on Wednesday, said the senator was misquoted, describing the reports as fake news and a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and stir unnecessary political tension.
According to him, Yari praised Tinubu in his remarks, and also called for unity among Nigerians. He added that Yari highlighted Tinubu’s dedication to restoring stability and driving development across the country.
“Yari stated that Tinubu is working tirelessly, receiving detailed briefs from all key sectors of the nation because he is determined to move Nigeria forward,” Shehu said.
Shehu equally stated that Yari observed in his remarks that the President is deeply engaged in the nation’s challenges and committed to finding solutions that benefit all citizens.
“Yari went further to explain that many of the problems facing Nigeria are self-inflicted and require collective responsibility to overcome,” Shehu added, quoting the ex-governor as saying, “This is because so much havoc was initiated by us, but we need to come together.”
Continuing, he explained that Yari revealed that he personally informed Tinubu that he would be attending the One Nigeria Project Conference.
“I was with the President in the night and I told him that I would be here, and if he has time, he should watch what we are doing. And I think this organization should be given the support,” Shehu quoted Yari.
He stressed that Yari also addressed the negative rhetoric often targeted at Tinubu, emphasising that many of the criticisms come from individuals who should know better.
“The problem is the elite. You have people abusing Tinubu. You are abusing him because you know the problem more than the truth,” he further quoted Yari as saying.
According to him, Yari emphasized that honesty, responsibility and patriotism are needed to move the country forward.
“Yari concluded that achieving ‘One Nigeria’ requires unity of purpose, cooperation, and a shared commitment to growth and development.”
Yari’s statements stand in sharp contrast to the “false” claims circulating online, Shehu added.