[size=14pt]Nigeria: Yar'Adua's PPS Vacates Office[/size]
21 February 2010

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President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua's Principal Private Secretary, Mr. David Edevbie, may have cleared his desk and vacated his office in the presidential villa.

The most senior principal staff of the ailing president, a source in the presidency told LEADERSHIP last night, had stopped coming to office in the last few days, apparently convinced that his principal's journey to Saudi Arabia is a long one.

Although Acting President Goodluck Jonathan recently made attempt to bring all Yar'Adua's aides to his office, our source said Mr. Edevbie - a close associate of former governor of Delta State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori was not comfortable with the arrangement.

A former commissioner of finance in Delta State, Mr. Edevbie is currently facing trial in London over alleged money laundering and other financial crimes.

His appointment as Yar'Adua's aide was facilitated by Chief Ibori, whom many political observers believed invested billions of naira in Yar'Adua's campaign during 2007 general elections.

All communications to Yar'Adua pass through Mr. Edevbie's office and he is seen as the most powerful principal staff of the president in the villa.

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