MORE security aides of embattled Vice President Atiku Abubakar have been redeployed on the order of President Olusegun Obasanjo. This time, it is the VP�s police escorts/guards that have been ordered redeployed.
State Security Service (SSS) men and official vehicles attached to the Vice President had earlier been withdrawn. Security at the VP�s official residence in Abuja was generally light yesterday. It was learnt that although some of the aides of the Vice President were allowed to enter the premises, they were not allowed to remove private property.
Some family members still remain in the house although the Vice President�s wife, Titi, is currently in the UK where one of her children recently had a baby.
Another presidency source said Obasanjo might run through what is left of his tenure without a deputy. It was gathered that this option was considered by the President and his kitchen cabinet members following possible opposition from the National Assembly to moves to replace Atiku.
Sources said since the President ceased delegating assignments to the embattled Vice President a long time ago, he (the President) has grown used to working without a deputy.
Confirming the redeployment of the mobile police guards yesterday, chief spokesman for the Vice President, Mallam Garba Shehu, noted that the move was part of a psychological warfare being waged against Atiku.
He said: �This thing is not for real. They want to break the Vice President and his supporters psychologically and it is part of the military style of warfare.
�The people who are doing these things know they are doing the wrong things. Their actions are against the constitution. This constitution does not approve two Vice Presidents and if one is not properly removed, you cannot go on to appoint another.”
Mallam Shehu said his boss, who is currently holidaying in the United States would return to his official residence in Abuja after his holidays.