President Muhammadu Buhari’s older nephew, Mamman Daura, has broken his silence over his relationship with the president.
He told the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Hausa Service that he only advises, not dictate to the president.
Daura is widely believed to be the arrowhead of the so-called cabal that allegedly influences most decisions of the Buhari administration. The president’s older nephew said he does not impose nor interfere with state matters.
He said, “You don’t do that to the government”, adding that he only visits the president and offer advice at the president’s request.
According to him, “My father was their mother’s firstborn. Buhari is the last born. Yes, I do visit him to greet him. I do give him advice, but if he asked…I advise him. But I don’t go there on my own and insist I must do this or that. No. You don’t do that to the government.”
Aisha, the president’s wife, has been critical of Daura.
In October last year, a video of the first lady and Fatima, one of Daura’s daughter, in a heated argument surfaced online.
The first lady claimed she was denied access to an apartment in the presidential villa by Daura’s family.
Fatima, however, said Aisha attacked her inside the villa.
Daura defended Buhari’s appointments saying competence was what determined who got what.
