The presidency has on Saturday evening, said that views expressed by Malam Mamman Daura, President Muhammadu Buhari’s nephew, were personal to him and did not, in any way, reflect that of either the President or his administration.

In a statement released by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the presidency said, "at age 80, and having served as editor and managing director of one of this country’s most influential newspapers, the New Nigerian, certainly, Malam Mamman qualifies as an elder statesman with a national duty to hold perspectives and disseminate them as guaranteed under our constitution and laws of the land. He does not need the permission or clearance of anyone to exercise this right."

Recall that in interview granted by the elder statesman to the BBC Hausa Service, Daura said competence should be placed above zoning arrangement in the 2023 presidential election.

His submission however, generated alot of critics as Afenifere and other political interest groups in the South condemned the elder statesman.

Dura statement that political parties should jettison zoning and dwell on competence as a criterion for fielding candidates for the 2023 was also rejected by both the ruling All Progressive Congress(APC) party and the major opposition party the People's Democratic Party(PDP).

The statement reads :

We have received numerous requests for comments on the interview granted by Malam Mamman Daura, President Muhammadu Buhari’s nephew to the BBC Hausa Service.

It is important that we state from the onset that as mentioned by the interviewee, the views expressed were personal to him and did not, in any way, reflect that of either the President or his administration.

At age 80, and having served as editor and managing director of one of this country’s most influential newspapers, the New Nigerian, certainly, Malam Mamman qualifies as an elder statesman with a national duty to hold perspectives and disseminate them as guaranteed under our constitution and laws of the land. He does not need the permission or clearance of anyone to exercise this right.


In an attempt to circulate the content of the interview to a wider audience, the English translation clearly did no justice to the interview, which was granted in Hausa, and as a result, the context was mixed up and new meanings were introduced and/or not properly articulated.

The issues discussed during the interview, centred around themes on how the country could birth an appropriate process of political dialogue, leading to an evaluation, assessment and a democratic outcome that would serve the best interest of the average Nigerian irrespective of where they come from.

These issues remain at the heart of our evolving and young democracy, and as a veteran journalist, scholar and statesman, Malam Mamman has seen enough to add his voice to those of many other participants.

Garba Shehu

Senior Special Assistant to the President

(Media & Publicity)

August 1, 2020

Source: https://insidenaija.com.ng/2020/08/01/malam-daura-views-were-personal-they-dont-reflect-buhari-or-his-administration-presidency/

Until he packs out of Aso Rock, I will not believe that was his personal opinion.

He should calm down, I mean Mr ma an daura and not play God.. He should better ask about ịsa funtua and Abba Kyari.. Don't assume the role of the Almighty

The dichotomy is getting clearer..... Femi Ade-sinner speaks for the president, while Garba-ge Shehu speaks for the presidency....

As it appears, the president might just be a high ranking employee in the presidency....more like the MD of a corporation, while the chairman of the board is......

Garbage Shehu chose his words carefully this time lol

What a country

GOD GO SHAME BUHARI.... If.....he doesn't come out straight...instead of all these camouflaged comments to air peoples opinion on what the north plans to do in 2023.

It better be personal ooo! If we find out otherwise, the joke will be on you and Buhari.

Una don dey fear?