Uncertainty Surrounds Gambari’s Reported Appointment As Buhari’s CoS

Uncertainty on Tuesday surrounded the appointment of Prof. Ibrahim Gambari as a new Chief of Staff to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).

The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Sulu-Gambari, had in a statement on Tuesday signed by his media aide, Abdulazeez Arowona expressed appreciation to the President for appointing Gambari as his new chief of staff.

The statement seemed to have lent credence to earlier online media reports that Prof. Ibrahim Gambari had been appointed to replace the late chief of staff, Abba Kyari.

An online news medium, TheCable, wrote, “Gambari to be unveiled as new chief of staff on Wednesday (today)”

It stated, “Although his (Gambari’s) appointment has not been officially announced, TheCable confirmed from Presidency sources that he would replace Abba Kyari, who died from COVID-19 complications last month,” the medium reported.

The statement from the Ilorin Emirate read, “Emir of Ilorin and Chairman, Kwara State Council of Chiefs, Mai-Martaba Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing Prof. Ibrahim Gambari as his new chief of staff.

“He noted that the choice of the former diplomat would be justified by his outstanding contributions, administrative experience, scholarship and excellence, which he would inject into the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government towards ensuring good governance, democratic dividends as well as shared prosperity in the nation.”

But even with the reports and the Emir’s congratulatory message, the Presidency, as of 6.29pm, made no official confirmation or denial on Tuesday of the reported appointment of Gambari.

The Presidency made no official announcement to confirm or deny the appointment.

Both presidential spokespersons, Mr Femi Adesina and Mr Garba Shehu, made no confirmation as of 6.29pm.

Shehu merely replied to an enquiry, writing, “I have not been briefed.”

Former CoS, Mr Abba Kyari, had died of complications associated with COVID-19 on April 17.

When the emir’s palace was contacted on Tuesday for clarification, a palace source, who confided in The PUNCH, said, “What we acted on is a speculated statement, the appointment of Prof. Gambari has not been announced in a statement signed either by Femi Adesina or Garba Shehu, who are the two spokespersons of the President.

“Please, discountenance the statement purportedly to have been issued from the palace of the Emir of Ilorin as of now.”