Why Buhari Appointed Gambari, A Diplomat,As A replacement For Late Kyari. A Former Chief Of Staff

By Suleiman Umaru

Those who think that the death of Abba Kyari, the former Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, whom he  described as ‘’my dearest friend ‘’ b has created a vacuum in the Presidency that would be difficult to fill would be disappointed.

 This is because  the Katsina born Nigerian President in his search for a new Chief of Staff has eventually found  a another   suitable person for the  office, Abgoola Ibrahim Gambari, a Professor and an indigene of Kwara, from the Royal Gamari family in Ilorin, the state Capital. Described in Academic and Diplomatic  circles as an  experienced Bureaucrat who has held several high profile  appointments both within and outside the country including the United Nations, as an Under –secretary, many believe that he is an asst to the President.

Prof.Gambari: Chief Of Staff To President Buhari

 Kyari, the late chief  of Staff to the President may have been seen as a  difficult person  by  politicians and political appointees, particular, ministers, who could not  have easy access to the President as at when o because of the hardline position adopted  him in dealing  with them including the leadership of the National Assembly  may find  75 yer-old Gambari, who knows the demand of the office a hard nut to crack.  This may have informed why the Katsina state born Nigerian  President   appointed him to be his Chief of Staff  couple with the fact that he is not a politician.  Note that there were 37 card carrying members   from the party jostling for the position who  were jostling for the  position , particular from the north east and the north central.

Among them were Babagana Kingibe, a Diplomat  and former Secretary to the government of the Federation under the late General Sani Abacha’s Administration, Kashim Shetima, a former Borno state governor and now a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Adamu Adamu, minister of Education, Muhammed Musa Bello, minister of the  Federal Capital Territory, FCT,and Mala Buni, former APC , National Secretary.

Unknown to these political applicants, the president had his mind  set for an apolitical person  to occupy the sensitive position in his Administration instead of appointing a  Politician  who  might to use the position to poticise the Presidency. It was not surprising why  he appointed Gambari, a Competent and  experienced  Bureaucrat into the exalted office.

 Appearing on Channels Television political programme  on Wednesday, May 13, 2020 barely hours that Boss Mustapha, Chairman of the Presidential Task force  on COVID  19 and Secretary  to the government of the Federation, made the announcement of his appointment as the new Chief of Staff , at the instance of the President, he had told those that cares to listen  that his office  ‘’is solely for the service of the President’’.

 He noted that the appointment is not about him as Gambari  but to  do his job  which is to ‘’provide the President  with the best  advice  to organize his office  and to make sure that the machinery of government runs smoothly’’. This is an indication that he is not there to serve the nation but to do the biddings of the President  who appointed  him as one of his kitchen staff.

Mustapha: Announced Gambari’s Appointment As CS, To Buhari

He has already, sent a signal to  Nigerians, mostly the politicians,  who think that they can make the Presidential Villa  their home or office  in order to see the President  to expect  a very ‘’loyal, dedicated  and efficient  service  to the President ‘’ and therefore, will not give room for such unscheduled visits.  He disclosed that his duty as Chief of Staff is  ‘’to ensure that the President’s  priorities  are carried out efficiently, properly and broadly’’, but without any distraction. ‘’I will serve the President to the best of my ability’’, he maintains.

This is bad news to the politicians and political appointees who had a running battle with Kyari, the late former Chief of Staff as they may have a much more  difficult time  seeing the President this time around, particular, now that   he    is occupied on how to curb the spread of the Wuhan Town in Hebei Province of the Asian  country of China  emerged  Coronavirus pandemic in the country.

  Although  Mustapha, the Secretary to the government had issued a Statement concerning his appointment around 10.30 amm but he had visited the Presidential  Villa around 3.30 Pm  He was said to have been thoroughly screened   and his temperature checked  and hand sanitised in accordance with the World Health organization, WHO, a United Nations, UN, Health agency and Nigerian center for Drug Control, NCDC, SOCIAL DISTANCING rules,  including wearing his Face Mask, before being allowed into the main Presidential building  where he was  conducted  round by the officials  amidst tight security.  The message may have sent to him that Villa is not a free for all persons except on invitation.   

 Given the general acceptance of the Kwara state born Diplomat  as  Buhari new Chief of Staff, he has continued to receive                 Congratulatory messages  both within and outside the country. The Adams Oshimhole, led National Executive Committee, NEC, of the APC, have already sent   a Congratulatory message to him  duly  signed  by Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, the  National Publicity Secretary.

 The APC leadership noted that the President’s  avowed  commitment  to good governance may have informed why he is  bringing in  on board  competent Nigerians  from all parts  of the world  to assist him in rebuilding Nigeria.  The former Edo state governor, and other members of the party NEC,  were said to have  assured  Gambari of their ’’support and Cooperation in order succeed in his new national assignment’’.

   The nineteen northern states governors under the aegis of Northern Governors Forum, NGF, may have known that Gambari, the President’s new Chief of Staff  is no easy push over that they have come out  to Congratulate him  over the well deserved appointment, described as ‘’timely’’, and promising ’’ to support him as he takes  on this important role’’. The NGF,  believe  that  his ‘’huge experience  and knowledge  on  governance  will enable him to perform well’’, which makes him an asset to the President.

Simon Lalong, governor of Plateau state, and Chairman, of the NGF, who could not hide his feelings  said  his’’ vast knowledge  in administration  both locally and internationally, will go a long way to assist the President  in delivering  on his electioneering Campaign promises to Nigerians’’.

Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi state who  described  Gamari as a man of many parts, whose ‘’vast wealth of knowledge and experience remain unrivalled in Africa’’  said his appointment  no doubt is a square peg in a round hole. He believes that just as llate Kyari  played key role   in the Buhari Administration and his first term in office and the second term before death claimed him last April,  the Professor would  not only  ‘’fill the vacuum left by the late former Chief of Staff but  will further add colour to the Administration’s achievements’’  in  years ahead.

Pix:

  1. President Muhammadu Buhari
  2. 2Prof. Ibrahim Gambari: Chief Of Staff To The President
  3. Boss Mustapha: Secretary To The Government of The Federation

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