Mr Femi Adesina will retain his position as special adviser to the president on media and publicity as President Muhammadu Buhari prepares to announce more appointments this week.

Adesina was initially rumoured to have been shortlisted for a ministerial appointment before the entrance of Mr Rauf Aregbesola, former governor of Osun state, into the fray.

Both of them are from Osun.

TheCable also understands that the senate leadership has nominated a former member, Mr Omoworare Babajide, from Osun, to replace Mr Ita Enang as presidential aide on the upper chamber.

Babajide was twice elected senator for Osun east district in 2011 and 2015.

“In the spirit of his cordial relationship with senate, the president asked them to nominate someone they can work with and they picked Babajide,” a senator from north-east revealed.

“We expect the cordial relationship to continue so that the president can deliver on his Next Level agenda.”

Enang, a former senator, occupied the position from 2015 till now.

Also to be re-appointed are Garba Shehu as senior special assistant on media and publicity and Tolu Ogunlesi as special assistant on digital/new media.

Mrs Adejoke Adefulire will also retain her position as senior special assistant on sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Meanwhile, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has written to Buhari seeking approval for the appointments of his aides but president has not yet responded.

A source in VP’s office said Mr Osinbajo sent the request last week.

Osinbajo is expected to retain most of his aides: Mr Ade Ipaye (deputy chief of staff), Mrs Maryam Uwais (social investment), Mr Laolu Akande (media and publicity) and Mr Adeyemi Dipeolu (chief economic adviser).

All Osinbajo’s aides are officially attached to the president.

The Cable