Oyo-Ita, Kyari are back to being best friends again

Head of Service,

The two officials were engaged in a heated debate before the commencement of last week's meeting in what many regarded to be a fall-out over a leaked memo.

In a stark contrast to the heated scenes last week, the two officials were pictured together laughing like old friends as the presidency has played down their public spat.

Oyo-Ita's clash with Kyari

During the clash last week, Oyo-Ita was being questioned by Kyari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo just before she was seen angrily gesticulating in a heated argument with Kyari before returning to her seat.

She later returned to have another discussion with Osinbajo before National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, also joined the discussion.

The issue died down after Deputy Chief of Staff, Femi Ipaye, asked Oyo-Ita to return to her seat after the scene attracted the attention of everybody in the room.

Maina scandal

The reason for the conflict is believed to be the leaked memo that Oyo-Ita had allegedly written to President Buhari to warn him about the consequences of recalling former Chairman of the Presidential Task Team on Pension Reforms (PTTPR), Abdulrasheed Maina, to service.

Maina had been recalled and promoted after his dismissal by the Federal Civil Service Commission in 2013 following corruption allegations.

In the letter Oyo-Ita addressed to Kyari's office, she said that her warning was based on the implications Maina's reinstatement would have on the president's anti-corruption war.

The memo cast doubt on the presidency's public stance that it was unaware of Maina's reinstatement as he was promptly fired by the president on October 23 after public condemnation.

ALSO READ: I told Buhari about Maina's reinstatement - Head of Service

President Buhari ordered Maina's 'disengagement' and directed Oyo-Ita to provide a comprehensive report to explain the circumstances of his recall.

Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami and Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau, are also allegedly instrumental to the process of Maina's recall.

In 2015, Maina was charged alongside former Head of Service, Steve Oronsaye, Osarenkhoe Afe and Fredrick Hamilton Global Services Limited before a Federal High Court on a 24-count charge bordering on procurement fraud and obtaining by false pretence through the award of fraudulent biometric contracts.

After he was declared wanted over an alleged N2 billion pension fraud, he evaded capture from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and fled abroad.

Buhari presides over meeting

President Buhari presided over Wednesday's meeting, only a day after he presented a proposal of N8.612 trillion as the 2018 Appropriation bill to a joint session of the National Assembly.

He said at the session that with a benchmark of $45 per barrel at an exchange rate of N305 to a dollar in 2018, the budget would consolidate on the achievements of previous budgets to aggressively steer the economy to the path of steady growth.

"With the economic recovery made so far, it is clear that we made the right decisions. And I urge you all to support the Federal Government’s policies towards economic recovery," he said.

Buhari said that the government would continue to develop infrastructure and increase investments in agriculture to attain food security and reduce importation.