Mamman Daura, President Muhammadu Buhari’s older nephew, says he only advises and not dictate to him.
Daura stated this in an interview on the Hausa Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation.
Daura is rumoured to be the head of the so-called cabal that allegedly influences most decisions of the Buhari administration.
Daura, who broke his silence on his relationship with Buhari during the BBC interview, said he could not impose his decision on the President.
“You don’t do that to the government,” he said.
He said he (Daura) only visits Buhari on request to offer him advice.
Daura told the BBC, “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 Buhari, the president’s wife, has been critical of Daura.
In October 2019, a video of the first lady and Fatima, one of Daura’s daughter, in a heated went viral.
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.
Also speaking on zoning of government positions, Daura said it was better for competence to prevail.
“This turn by turn, it was done once, it was done twice; it was done trice… It is better for this country to be one…it should be for the most competent and not for someone who comes from somewhere,” he said.