President Goodluck Jonathan and late president, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua

By Daniel Idonor
ABUJA—THE duo of Mr Segun Adeniyi who served late President Umaru Yar’dua as presidential spokesman and Mr Ima Niboro who is serving President Goodluck Jonathan in that capacity have said that throughout the period their bosses functioned as President and Vice President no friction existed between them.

According to them, it was a very cordial relationship that existed between the late president, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and his successor, President Goodluck Jonathan.

Incumbent Presidential spokesman, Mr. Ima Niboro who hosted his predecessor to a farewell dinner said throughout the life time of the late president, both worked harmoniously together without any friction, saying that there is only one presidency. This was confirmed by the late president’s spokesman, Olusegun Adeniyi who said they worked together like brothers.

It was also a confirmation of the sincerity of the claims of President Jonathan who at every opportunity, speaks glowingly of his relationship with his late boss whom he referred to as his a boss and a brother.

Niboro who spoke during the send-forth party in honour of Adeniyi on Wednesday  at the Presidential Villa said what people did not know was that both men related well and worked closely as one indivisible body and it still remains so.

He also said only those who do not know about the working of the presidency were talking about rift that never existed between the two.

“But such people know little about the villa because notwithstanding the unfortunate events of the last few months of President Yar’Adua’s life, he and President Jonathan related like bothers. And so did all the staff and will always be,” Niboro said.

Niboro who also spoke about his relationship with his immediate predecessor said their relationship dates back to their practising days as journalists in Lagos and also had the pleasure of working  harmoniously from 2007 till his resignation in May 2010.

Niboro who was full of good words for his predecessor said Adeniyi brought a lot of experience to the job which he put to excellent use in addressing the challenges of information management in the villa. Segun, he added “strove gallantly, during his tenure, to build excellent relations between his principal and the media. He was down to earth, and always ready to call a spade a spade.

Segun was no spin doctor, and some hated him for it. But as professionals, we knew he was doing a good job, and gave him our support.

Adeniyi who also spoke on the relationship between President Jonathan and his late boss said “I am sure there will be some Nigerians, perhaps many Nigerians who would be surprised that the spokesman for President Goodluck Jonathan is hosting to dinner in the Villa someone considered a member of the “cabal” whatever that means; adding that is Niboro is his brother and will remain his brother.

“But I take nothing for granted and that’s why I thank him immensely for this honour.  But I understand the Villa enough to know that nothing moves without the president and that if President Jonathan doesn’t approve of this occasion, it would not hold. So I thank him for his generosity of spirit and for this kind gesture of his.

“I need to state here that I worked closely with President Jonathan first as Vice President and later in his capacity as acting president in those most difficult days in the villa and he knows I have nothing but great affection and respect for him,” he added.

He said that for the occasion to take place also shows that President Jonathan has a good spirit. Adeniyi also shared his experience when on resuming office he got a present from his secretary and the present turned out to be his 1992 accreditation card as a state House correspondent. He noted that he got some lessons through the gesture.

One of the lessons is that he should never forget where he was coming from knowing that it was by divine providence that he got the appointment. And also that “whatever has a beginning must necessarily have an end so I should always be conscious of the fact that there is really no indigene at the presidential villa, one way or the other, everybody is a settler here.’

Adeniyi also thanked the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, (SGF) Alhaji Yayale Ahmed who was at the occasion to honour him and spoke glowing of the SGF.  The Head of Service of the Federation, Mr. Steve Oransanye also graced the occasion.  He ended his remark with the words of the late siege Chief Obafemi Awolowo in his letter to Gen. Yakubu Gowon which states, “if we are related, we shall meet again”.

The Chairman of the State House press corp, Daniel Idonor in his remark commended Adeniyi for his support and assistance to journalists covering the president while in office.

Adeniyi, according to Idonor did everything within his power to ensure that journalists worked with ease.
Others at the occasion were president of the Guild of Editors, Mr Gbenga Adefaye, DG Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), DG Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) among others.