OPINION: Who Is Controlling President Buhari In Abba Kyari's Absence?
Before the Aso rock strong man was humbled by the dreaded coronavirus, there had been assertions in many quarters that the number one man, also referred to as the de facto president, the chief of staff, Abba Kyari had the presidency in his palms.
Quite unseen but with his tentacles reaching far and wide, he was a force to contend with and was the grand gateway to the president, Muhammed Buhari.
On some occasions, he even stood between the first family and the president.
Such was the powers the man wielded before COVID-19 struck and got him off the way for some time.
According to Aso rock sources, he scheduled meetings with Mr president and determined who saw The president and who did not. His powers was so strong that he even determined issues pertaining to the first family. we can't forget in a hurry the episode that transpired between his daughter and the first lady, Aish Buhari.
Abba kyari's daughter had challenged the first lady on the usage of one of the facilities in the villa.
This was the greatest misfortune that had befallen the presidency in recent times.
Abba kyari's daughter even had the temerity to video the episode and release it on social media.
That was a big slap on the family but what did our president do? NOTHING!
That episode really showed the level of influence the COS had on the president.
The man controlled Buhari's daily activities, his visitors. his travel schedule and allocated spaces in Aso rock.
In summary, he directed the president's activities.
Yes, that was a part of his duties as chief of staff but how did ministers have to get approvals from him? It was demeaning for the president to ask ministers to see Abba kyari first before seeing him. This meant governance stopped at Abba kyari's table and he controlled whatever the president heard and knew about the country.
President Buhari as we all know is not media savvy and will not be aware of any situation except that which he is told by the COS.
We cant also forget in a hurry the recently leaked memo from the office of the defense adviser who accused the COS of meddling with affairs of the ministry of defense.
This really showed the level of influence the COS had in governance and in fact, all facets of the presidency.
Nigerians were not expected for the jolt of shock that most experienced when news broke that the Aso rock strong man had tested positive for COVID-19.
March 24th was the date and as sources put it, Kyari, who is in his 70's has a history of medical complications including diabetes.
Before he was tested, Abba kyari was in Germany to have talks with Seimens on the country's electrical issues.
One wonders why he should be involved in such high-level talks when his office had nothing to do with electricity.
Since then, the man had not been seen in public and the SGF, Boss Mustapha had taken over issues related to his office.
With Abba kyari out of the way, one wonders how the president is coping with governance.
Abba kyari probably knew what we as Nigerians didn't know thus the way he related with the president.
Who will stand guard on the President's gate?
Who will stop and screen government officials when they come to meet the president?
Who will tell Aisha where and where not to sleep?
These and more come to mind when one remembers how much powers the COS wielded in Aso rock.
Word has it that immediately the COS was out of Aso Rock, Aisha gave instructions to fire the permanent sec in Aso rock who sources say was very loyal to Abba Kyari, She also ordered everyone in the villa to get tested.
With all these playing out, the question that comes to mind is how is Buhari coping with Abba kyari's absence?
While we pray for his quick recovery, we also frown at the rate most elite Nigerians like to hide things from the citizens.
As at today, nobody knows his whereabouts and even as the ministry of health had placed an embargo on private hospitals to treat COVID-19 patients, Abba kyari is still holed up in some private hospital which contravenes the law set by the health ministry.
Whatever happens, we know the presidency is in safe hands with the crop of fine gentlemen we have running things there now.
Quite unseen but with his tentacles reaching far and wide, he was a force to contend with and was the grand gateway to the president, Muhammed Buhari.
On some occasions, he even stood between the first family and the president.
Such was the powers the man wielded before COVID-19 struck and got him off the way for some time.
According to Aso rock sources, he scheduled meetings with Mr president and determined who saw The president and who did not. His powers was so strong that he even determined issues pertaining to the first family. we can't forget in a hurry the episode that transpired between his daughter and the first lady, Aish Buhari.
Abba kyari's daughter had challenged the first lady on the usage of one of the facilities in the villa.
This was the greatest misfortune that had befallen the presidency in recent times.
Abba kyari's daughter even had the temerity to video the episode and release it on social media.
That was a big slap on the family but what did our president do? NOTHING!
That episode really showed the level of influence the COS had on the president.
The man controlled Buhari's daily activities, his visitors. his travel schedule and allocated spaces in Aso rock.
In summary, he directed the president's activities.
Yes, that was a part of his duties as chief of staff but how did ministers have to get approvals from him? It was demeaning for the president to ask ministers to see Abba kyari first before seeing him. This meant governance stopped at Abba kyari's table and he controlled whatever the president heard and knew about the country.
President Buhari as we all know is not media savvy and will not be aware of any situation except that which he is told by the COS.
We cant also forget in a hurry the recently leaked memo from the office of the defense adviser who accused the COS of meddling with affairs of the ministry of defense.
This really showed the level of influence the COS had in governance and in fact, all facets of the presidency.
Nigerians were not expected for the jolt of shock that most experienced when news broke that the Aso rock strong man had tested positive for COVID-19.
March 24th was the date and as sources put it, Kyari, who is in his 70's has a history of medical complications including diabetes.
Before he was tested, Abba kyari was in Germany to have talks with Seimens on the country's electrical issues.
One wonders why he should be involved in such high-level talks when his office had nothing to do with electricity.
Since then, the man had not been seen in public and the SGF, Boss Mustapha had taken over issues related to his office.
With Abba kyari out of the way, one wonders how the president is coping with governance.
Abba kyari probably knew what we as Nigerians didn't know thus the way he related with the president.
Who will stand guard on the President's gate?
Who will stop and screen government officials when they come to meet the president?
Who will tell Aisha where and where not to sleep?
These and more come to mind when one remembers how much powers the COS wielded in Aso rock.
Word has it that immediately the COS was out of Aso Rock, Aisha gave instructions to fire the permanent sec in Aso rock who sources say was very loyal to Abba Kyari, She also ordered everyone in the villa to get tested.
With all these playing out, the question that comes to mind is how is Buhari coping with Abba kyari's absence?
While we pray for his quick recovery, we also frown at the rate most elite Nigerians like to hide things from the citizens.
As at today, nobody knows his whereabouts and even as the ministry of health had placed an embargo on private hospitals to treat COVID-19 patients, Abba kyari is still holed up in some private hospital which contravenes the law set by the health ministry.
Whatever happens, we know the presidency is in safe hands with the crop of fine gentlemen we have running things there now.
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