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Umar Sani no longer my spokesperson since 2016 – VP Sambo
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Why issue the statement now? This is unnecessary – Umar Sani
From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
Former Vice President Namadi Sambo has stated that Mr. Umar Sani is no longer his spokesperson, a role he has not held since 2016.
Sambo served as Vice President to former President Goodluck Jonathan from 2010 to 2015 under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Reacting to the latest comment from his former principal, Umar Sani said the statement was unnecessary since there has been no bone of contention in their relationship since leaving office.
However, a statement on Sunday by Yinka Ibrahim, personal aide to the former Vice President, clarified that Umar Sani, also known as ‘Dekat,’ has recently been vocal in expressing his political views, adding that all public opinions expressed by Sani are his personal views.
“Unfortunately, some media reports continue to attribute those opinions to the former Vice President,” the statement said.
Sani previously served as Director General of Media and Publicity and as Senior Special Assistant on Media during Sambo’s tenure, first as Governor of Kaduna State and later as Vice President of Nigeria until 2015.
Yinka Ibrahim advised media organisations to note that Mr. Sani is no longer authorised to speak for the former Vice President.
“It should therefore be placed on record, once again, that Umar Sani is no longer authorised to speak on behalf of former Vice President Namadi Sambo.
“It has come to our attention that recent media reports have mistakenly attributed Mr. Sani’s personal views to former Vice President Sambo. We categorically refute these misrepresentations.
“The former Vice President’s office maintains that only statements released through its designated official channels carry the weight of his views and stance on issues.
“We acknowledge that Mr. Sani previously served as Director General of Media and Publicity and as Senior Special Assistant on Media during the tenure of former Vice President Sambo—first as Governor of Kaduna State and later as Vice President of Nigeria.
“However, since 2016, Mr. Sani has ceased to be associated with the former Vice President’s official communications. Any public statements or opinions now expressed by Umar Sani are solely his own and do not represent, endorse, or reflect the views of former Vice President Sambo.
“We urge all media outlets and members of the public to disregard any statements or political opinions attributed to former Vice President Sambo through the medium of Umar Sani.
“Accurate public discourse is essential, and only verified communications issued by our office should be considered authoritative,” the statement added.
In response, Umar Sani said, “My attention has been drawn to a press statement purportedly emanating from the office of Arc. Namadi Sambo, former Vice President, and signed by one Yinka Ibrahim. The statement asserts that I have ceased to serve as the spokesperson for the former Vice President since 2016 and that all views and opinions expressed by me are entirely my own.
“I find this statement to be utterly spurious and highly unnecessary for the simple reason that if I had indeed ceased to be His Excellency’s spokesperson since 2016, why issue a statement now, some nine years later, as a disclaimer? This sudden declaration that I am no longer his spokesperson raises significant queries and seems, at best, a belated and curious assertion.
“Let me state unequivocally for the record that after leaving office in 2015, the former Vice President earnestly implored me to continue in my capacity as his spokesperson and speechwriter—positions I held while in office—a request I initially declined.
“He persisted, convening a meeting between his then-political adviser, myself, his chief medical physician, and himself, in an attempt to persuade me to reconsider. At that meeting, his political adviser suggested that I be compensated with my official salary to continue in my role. After much entreaty, I ultimately agreed to serve on a pro bono basis. To this day, I have not received a single penny for my contributions.
“I find the statement unnecessary, as our relationship remains amicable to this day. I have never issued any statement nor engaged with the media in my capacity as his current media aide, nor has any media organisation reported me as having done so.
“On some occasions, I have read press statements that he signed personally. What perhaps unsettles him is my being referenced as his former media aide, a designation that shall undoubtedly endure the test of time.”