The presidency on Friday, November 8, confirmed the sacking of some aides attached to the office of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Garba Shehu, the senior special assistant to the president on media and publicity in a statement obtained by Legit.ng said the exercise which was ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari was done to streamline decision-making, cut down multiple authorities and reduce the cost of administration.

He said there is an on-going downsizing in the presidency in which a number of political appointments have either been revoked or not renewed in the second term of the administration.

Shehu explained that the downsizing was being carried out to save taxpayer money and deliver the needed service to the public.

He said the office of Yemi Osinbajo had downsized a number of his appointees in compliance with the directive of the president as a means to reduce the cost of administration.

Presidency also dismissed media reports that there was a rift between President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, noting that the two leaders enjoy a cordial relationship.

He accused mischief-makers who he said were desperate for entertaining stories from the Aso Rock Villa of spreading the notion of a rift in the presidency.

Garba Shehu said the streamlining was not personal or targeted to undermine the vice president’s office.

He urged the media to stop attributing non-existent powers to some people, adding that President Buhari is in absolute control of his government and that no one is too powerful for President Buhari to control.