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  • Why President didn’t attach portfolios to Ministerial nominees – CoS

    Why President didn’t attach portfolios to Ministerial nominees – CoS

    Femi Gbajabiamila the chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, has given detailed information  behind the President’s decision not to attach specific portfolios to the list of ministerial nominees submitted to the Senate on Thursday.

    The CoS made this known while speaking to State House correspondents on Thursday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

    He said that while attaching portfolios would have been a welcomed approach, President Tinubu chose to maintain flexibility in assigning roles within the government.

    “For me, that would have been one way to go about it, it would have been a welcomed development. As good as that sounds, it straitjackets the President to pigeonhole one person in an office or the other,” Gbajabiamila explained.

    He further elaborated on the potential challenges associated with attaching specific portfolios to the nominees.

    Continuing, he  said President Tinubu wanted to retain the freedom to assess the nominees’ suitability for particular roles and, if necessary, adjust their assignments to ensure optimal functionality within the government.

    “What happens then if you change your mind? Do you then bring the person back for screening again, because the President is at liberty to change his mind,” he added.

    He emphasised that the President and his team were currently reviewing the nominees and their prospective portfolios while the screening process is underway.

     

    According to him, this approach allows them to carefully consider how each nominee’s skills, expertise, and background align with the various ministerial positions.

     

    He reassured that the President had meticulously vetted each nominee, ensuring they possess the necessary qualifications to contribute effectively to the country’s progress.

     

    “The first step that he has done is that these are people that can work wherever you put them, except in specialized fields like Attorney-General and what have you. But in the main, in most of the portfolios, he believes most of them can fit in anywhere,” Gbajabiamila stated.

     

    Gbajabiamila revealed that President Tinubu intended to restructure some ministries and may even establish new stand-alone ministries.

    He said this move adds to the complexity of attaching specific portfolios beforehand, as the reorganization process might

    necessitate reshuffling roles.

     

    While the National Assembly’s approval was still pending, expectations are that the nominees will hit the ground running even before their formal confirmation.

     

    Gbajabiamila revealed that some individuals have been actively contributing advice to the President, even in the anticipation of their confirmation, as there is no time to waste in the pursuit of the government’s goals.

     

    “I’m sure there will be those who will be working behind the scenes, giving him advice, you know, even now, before confirmation, in anticipation of confirmation because there’s no time to waste,” Gbajabiamila stated.

  • Tinubu’s CoS, Gbajabiamila reveals plan on creation of new ministries

    Tinubu’s CoS, Gbajabiamila reveals plan on creation of new ministries

    The President Bola Tinubu’s administration may create new ministries from the existing ones, Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President, disclosed on Thursday in Abuja.

    The ministerial list was submitted to the National Assembly today by Gbajabiamila and was read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

    ‘’Mr President intends to separate portfolios or restructure the ministries in such a way you might be hearing of new ministries that were not standalone ministries before. So the process continues.’’

    The 28 minister-nominees include Abubakar Momoh, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Ahmed Dangiwa, Hannatu Musawa, Chief Uche Nnaji, Dr. Betta Edu, Dr. Doris Aniche Uzoka, David Umahi, and Nyesom Wike.

    Others are Badaru Abubakar, Nasiru Ahmed El-Rufai, Ekperipe Ekpo, Nkeiruka Onyejocha, Olubunmi Tunji Ojo, Stella Okotette, Uju Kennedy Ohaneye, Mr Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Mr Dele Alake, and Mr Lateef Fagbemi.

    The rest include Mr Muhammad Idris, Mr Olawale Edun, Mr Waheed Adebayo Adelabu, Mrs Iman Suleiman Ibrahim, Prof. Ali Pate, Prof. Joseph Utsev, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, Sen. John Enoh, and Sen. Sani Abubakar Danladi.

    Gbajabiamila said that the nominees were chosen after undergoing strict personal screening by the President.

    He said that a second part comprising 13 names would be sent to the assembly, adding that this was part of the process of having a cabinet for the administration.

    ‘’As you know he had 60 days from time of inauguration, as stipulated in the constitution. He has fulfilled that requirement of the constitution by submitting 28 names today.

    ‘’As his letter stated, and was read on the floor of the Senate, the remaining names, not sure how many, probably about 12, maybe 13, will be forwarded to the Senate in the coming days.

    ‘’As far as the nominees themselves are concerned, and like I said, Mr. President took his time to sift through those names,’’ he said.

    The Chief of Staff said that the president decided to tow the line of tradition by not attaching the portfolio of the nominees in the letter to the Senate in order to give room for reviews.

    ‘’As good as that sounds, it straitjackets the president to pigeonhole one person in an office or the other. What happens then if you change your mind, do you then bring the person back for screening again, because the president is at liberty to change your mind.

    ‘’For instance, if I decide I want somebody as Minister of Labour, and then after sending the name, later on, I decide that this person would actually be better with another portfolio. And meanwhile, the Senate has screened that person for that particular initial portfolio?.

    ‘’What happens then? Do you now re-screen the person? So, a lot of these things have their merits and demerits,’’ Gbajabiamila said.

  • Gbajabiamila to tender resignation as House of Representative member

    Gbajabiamila to tender resignation as House of Representative member

    The chief of staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and a former speaker  of the House of Representative, Femi Gbajabiamila, will today June 14 resign as a lawmaker on the floor of the House of Representative.

    This is coming in order for him to focus on the task of serving as Chief of Staff.

    Channels Television reported that after the Member representing Surulere 1 resigns, INEC will need to conduct a fresh election to fill the role.

  • Lagos governor, Sanwo-olu makes first appointments

    Lagos governor, Sanwo-olu makes first appointments

    Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has made public his first appointments since his inauguration for a second term in office.

    The governor has  re-appointed his former Chief of Staff, Mr. Tayo Ayinde, and Deputy Chief of Staff, Gboyega Soyannwo, as CoS and deputy Cos respectively.

    Meanwhile, Sanwo-Olu also appointed Bimbo Salu-Hundeyin as the Secretary to the State Government.

    Salu-Hundeyin, who is a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, succeeded the immediate past SSG, Mrs. Folashade Jaji, a former Head of Service, Lagos State.

    Sanwo-Olu is expected to name other appointees to form the State Executive Council soon. Reports have it that the govermor will return about 70 per cent of the last executive into the second term cabinet.

     

  • BREAKING: Burglars attack Buhari’s COS Gambari’s Residence close to Aso Villa

    BREAKING: Burglars attack Buhari’s COS Gambari’s Residence close to Aso Villa

    The official residence of the Chief of staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Professor Ibrahim Gambari was on Monday attacked by daredevil gunmen.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that some online media outlets on Monday alleged the CoS residence and that of the Administrative Officer of the State House, Abubakar Maikano, were targeted by suspected armed robbers.

    Confirming the report in a couple of tweets Monday evening, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba, said there was indeed an unsuccessful attempt to burgle Gambari’s house, which is located within the Villa area, a short distance away from the State House, Abuja.

    According to him, the attempted attack on Gambari’s residence happened 3am on Monday.

    According to Shehu; “The Chief of Staff, Professor Ibrahim Gambari has confirmed that there “was a foolish attempt” to burgle his residence at 3:00am this morning but it turned out to be unsuccessful.

    Professor Gambari, whose house is on a street next to the Villa has assured that there is nothing to worry about from the incident”.

  • Uncertainty surrounds appointment of new CoS in Kwara

    Uncertainty on Monday surrounded the appointment of an Ilorin prince, Alhaji Mahe Abdulkadir as the new Chief of Staff (CoS) to Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara.

    Recall that news of the appointment, went viral on social and prominent online media in the country.

    The media was agog with the report that Abdulkadir had been appointed to replace the former Chief of Staff, Adisa Logun, who died from complications of COVID-19 on July 7.

    Abdulkadir, a retired Permanent Secretary in the state and son of the immediate late Emir of Ilorin, Aliyu Abdulkadir, is said to be a close ally to the AbdulRazaq family.

    When NAN correspondent visited the ancestral residence of Abdulkadir on the Princess road in Ilorin, friends, family members and well-wishers, besieged the place rejoicing.

    Mr Taofik Uthman, who spoke with NAN, said that Abdulkadir had received a letter of appointment and would resume immediately.

    However, the state government was yet to issue any official statement on the appointment.

    When contacted, Malam Rafiu Ajakaye, Chief Press Secretary to the governor, urged the public to disregard any information related to government that had not come through official channels.

    “We have official communication channels.

    “We urge the media and members of the public to ignore anything related to the government that has not been communicated through such channels,” Ajakaye said.

  • Viral video: PDP’s repeated attacks on Buhari’s CoS will fail – Presidency

    Viral video: PDP’s repeated attacks on Buhari’s CoS will fail – Presidency

    The Presidency has said the repeated media briefings by the main opposition, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), on a recent video clip containing alleged conversation between erstwhile All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, and Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari was twisted to manipulate the unsuspecting public.

    It said the target of the repeated media outings was Prof. Gambari.

    But the Presidency noted that the attack would fail because the Chief of Staff is not a politician.

    The opposition party, in the last few days, has addressed several media briefings over the video clip showing Prof. Gambari chatting on a walkway in the State House with Oshiomhole.

    Although the video clip lasts eight seconds with the larger part of its conversation being hardly audible, the PDP as well as many commentators have picked out a part where the word “arrest” is mentioned and imputed many interpretations to it.

    A Presidency source, who spoke in confidence, told State House Correspondents that the opposition chose a wrong target to malign.

    The source noted that the efforts the PDP had put into creating a bad image for the Chief of Staff had continued to fail in the face of his solid credibility.

    The source was reacting to PDP’s call to the United Nation (UN), the European Union (EU) and other international bodies to place visa restrictions on Prof. Gambari, Oshiomhole and some other persons as punishment for allegedly plotting to truncate democracy and good governance in Nigeria.

    Despite the Presidency’s clarification and assurances by President Muhammadu Buhari and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure free and fair poll in Edo and Ondo states, the PDP urged the international community to deny visas to members of the APC for allegedly plotting to endanger democracy and enthrone bad governance.

    At a media briefing last week, PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, had said: “We wish to also draw the attention of the international community to this gross abuse of power to undermine the democratic process by critical workers that should defend it. We demand appropriate sanction against the individuals involved in this anti-democratic act; they should be given visa restrictions to democratic countries.

    “The interest and will of the people of Edo State should be paramount in all decisions and that should guide any action either by the INEC or the government. The PDP remains vehemently opposed to any postponement of Edo and Ondo states’ governorship elections. September 19 and October 10 should be sacrosanct.”

  • Author releases book on Abba Kyari’s ‘the good, the bad and ugly’ moments in Aso Villa as Buhari’s CoS

    Author releases book on Abba Kyari’s ‘the good, the bad and ugly’ moments in Aso Villa as Buhari’s CoS

    Prolific writer, Magnus Onyibe has released a book titled “Abba Kyari: Portrait of a Loyalist – The Good, The Bad and The Ugly sides of Public Service in Nigeria”.

    Onyibe who also writes regularly for TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) said the book was published less than a month after the passing of the late Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Abba Kyari in April.

    The book was published by Inspire Media Services Limited.

     

  • A Memo to Professor Agboola Gambari – Hope Eghagha

    A Memo to Professor Agboola Gambari – Hope Eghagha

    By Hope Eghagha

    It is part of our national dilemma, confusion and uncertainty that the appointment of a new Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari has elicited so much excitement, anxiety and concern that we have forgotten that the CoS is a personal staff to the president. Given our perception, private anecdotes and media presentation of the immediate past Chief of Staff Mallam Abba Kyari, as a man who wielded immense political power and virtually ran the country, whoever was appointed to the position would necessarily generate a lot of interest. It is against this background that the appointment of the 75year-old widely experienced Professor Agboola Gambari as the new Chief of Staff is of national importance.

    One of the very first public statements credited to Professor Gambari when he arrived in Aso Rock was that his is to report and be accountable to his principal, that is, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and not the people of Nigeria. As far as private appointments go, this statement is excellent though it may not have been necessary at this time. But I suppose he was under pressure to make it clear that despite what anyone may have said about his predecessor, he plans to toe the same path created by Abba Kyari that endeared him to the Number One Citizen. A Chief of Staff is expectedly to be loyal to his appointor. Even if he disagrees with his boss, it must never come into the open. He can only give advice in the closet and await his master’s decision. Once a decision is reached, he must pursue it with fervour zeal and commitment as if he was originally for the idea as he relates with institutions and elected and appointed officials.

    In the current dispensation, the perception is that like former American President Ronald Reagan, President Buhari cannot deal with the day to day details and complexities of our political life. As a result, he needs strong and dedicated staff who will read his mind perfectly, initiate and implement policy decisions in the overall interest of the polity. More than ever before, Nigeria needs expert and responsible hands that can effectively balance all the centrifugal forces currently tugging at the ropes of national unity. If the Chief of Staff is that rallying point, it will be dangerous to appoint a neophyte or an ethnic jingoist to that position. If the president had been led in the past into taking decisions that appeared to favour a section of the country, this is the time to gradually steer him back to the paths of national cohesion.

    Professor Gambari as an international diplomat understands the power of perception in governance. Sometimes, it is more compelling than the real facts. The questions is whether he shares he view that there is an ugly tilt in the country in power sharing that has made a vast majority of people in the south very uncomfortable. In the north, both the elite and the ordinary people are worried by the level of violence and insecurity which marauding gangs have unleashed on the land. So, whereas most highly sensitive and politically powerful positions are held by persons of northern origins, this has not translated into anything life-transforming in the region. What can we say of the hometown of a top army chief being overrun by insurgents? The perception therefore is that these appointments favour individuals, not the country. Which is sad.

    As a newly appointed Chief of Staff, presumed to be the de facto president of Nigeria, Professor Gambari has a lot of work to do. If the president has his ears, as I believe he does, there are some urgent tasks to be done. This is the time to diversify the economy. This is the time to tinker with the rules of engagement between the constituent parts of the federation for positive ends. A true federal structure and practice should evolve now. The service chiefs need to be replaced. A new strategy to end the Boko Haram insurgency should be developed. The rogue herdsmen currently ensconced in forests in across the country should be dislodged. If it is true that DPOs are under orders not to arrest and prosecute the Fulani marauders and kidnappers in southern bushes, this is the time to reverse it. Appointments should reflect national character and the regional interests which constitute the country. No one ethnic group is superior to another. The level of disenchantment against the government is very high right now, no matter what the smiling politicians who will troop to the presidency to welcome the new CoS as the best appointment ever made by the president.

    Although Gambari is not accountable to the Nigerian people, at 75, he should be concerned with his legacy and the survival of Nigeria beyond him. Abba Kyari’s obnoxious directive that the Ministry of Health’s budget should be routed through Ministry of Agriculture for whatever reason has been reversed. The judgment that he usurped presidential powers and misled the country is out there. The last trip to Europe to negotiate power issues could have been done by the minister. He did not have to be on the board of NNPC. The leaked memo that he gave orders to service chiefs, sideling the National Security Adviser, thereby making the president look bad and inefficient is in the public domain. The Chief of Staff ought not to be seen or heard. He is not the alternative president. He ought to smoothen the engine of government working in consonance with other government officials. In his tenure, Gambari should encourage the president to ‘seem’ to take charge. An appointee, not recognised by the constitution cannot, should not usurp the office or powers of the president.

    Finally, I congratulate Professor Gambari on his emergence as chief of Staff, an office currently perceived as the de facto powerhouse in the country. All the vicious stakeholders will converge now and try to seize him into their corner. Whatever his antecedents are, good, bad and ugly, it is left for Professor Gambari to use his past to help guide the president and create a better Nigeria than we currently experiencing. The clock is ticking. Nigerians are watching!

    Eghagha can be reached on 08023220393

  • CoS: Pro-Democracy group hails PMB over Gambari’s choice

    CoS: Pro-Democracy group hails PMB over Gambari’s choice

    The National Democratic Front (NDF) has applauded President Muhammadu Buhari’s choice of Prof. Ibrahim Gambari as his new Chief of Staff.

    According to the group, the president has once again demonstrated true patriotism hinged on love, strength and unity of purpose.

    Gambari, a renowned academic and diplomat of international repute was confirmed as late Abba Kyari’s successor on Wednesday.

    The appointment of the Kwara native has been widely accepted and NDF believes this is the right move by the president.

    In a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Dr. Abdulkadir Bolaji, on Wednesday, the NDF said “Gambari’s appointment is a victory for democracy and the Nigerian people.”

    The choice of Gambari, the group added, is well-deserved and merited owing to his “ rich knowledge and grasps of the issues at hand as a highly rated diplomat, political scientist and scholar that has left indelible footprints in governance at the highest level”.

    While declaring total support for the new Chief of Staff as he settles down for the task at hand, the NDF, however, urged all Nigerians to do likewise.