Ganduje’s media team in cold war, DG media operates without office

Uneasy calm kept riddling the media circle of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje over who leads the team shortly after a minor reshuffle.

Governor Ganduje precisely on the February 6th directed immediate reshuffle of his media team which redeployed the former Director General, Media and Communication Salihu Yakasai to Special Adviser on Social Media while the former Chief Press Secretary, Aminu Yassar takes over as the new DG media to the Governor. The new appointment also brought Abba Anwar as Chief Press Secretary.

About three after the about however, the former DG, Media Yakasai has refused vacate and hand over affairs of, his former office to the new DG, media, The Guardian authoritatively learnt.

The development has left the former Chief Press Secretary with no alternative than to operate from his old office while the new CPS handout in government house press gallery.

The Guardian also gathered that although the SA social media now frequent more within the office of the Governor, the DG office has been placed under lock since the appointment of the new DG.

Meanwhile the Special Adviser on the new media, Salihu Tanko Yakasai offered insight on why he refused to vacate his former office officially allocated to Director General Media, saying “its foolhardy to vacate the office to a junior”.

Yakasai who was elevated to his current position February 6th in an apparent ego driven position reportedly said “ In the hierarchy of government, Adviser is the most senior, it’s equivalent to a commissioner while the DG is equivalent to a permanent secretary”.

According to Yakasai “any office can be assigned to any official, it’s at the discretion of the government, and like I said, it was assigned to me I didn’t forcefully take it.”

Yakasai was quoted in a text obtained by The Guardian saying “It’s not my father’s property. And if today, i am directed to vacate it, before you say anything, i will be out of there. I was elevated to the position of Special Adviser to the Governor on New Media, and I remain an integral part of the Governor’s media team.”

In the text, he said further “In the course of my duties since my appointment about 2 years ago, i have maintained a cordial relationship with all my team, and still do, and we will continue to work together to create awareness around the activities of the Governor”.

When contacted, the new DG, Media and Communication Aminu Yasar insisted he would not speak on the whole matter.