Fake news has begun to fly that Babagana Kingibe has been named the new Chief of Staff (COS) by Buhari. That news is likely going to emerge as true in the next few hours as new reports on the circumstances around the death of Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, were released. The reports show that a discussion for replacement was underway before the announcement of his death.
It is important to recap on the role of COSs in Nigeria. Many would ask, what has any Chief of Staff in Nigeria ever done? They argue that COSs have only sown confusion since its first initiation by Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999.
What does the Chief of Staff in Nigeria do?
A CSO like Mallam Abba Kyari is described as having the principal power to communicate between the president and government. The president hands the power to protect the realm of politicians to the CSO on appointment.
The CSO gets to function on personal terms and disposition. However, he respects the philosophies of the incumbent President and follows his directives.
The position is known as the ‘Gatekeeper’ position and Kyari was obviously in charge of balancing power in Buhari’s Presidency. The power for supremacy and sovereignty and all forms of contention between political parties like those with APC were his specialities.
Though Aisha Buhari’s outcry, Buhari acknowledges that Kyari made enormous sacrifices and contributions to the success of his administration.
President Buhari’s speech on Kyari also states that “He secured instead satisfaction and his reward solely and only from the improvement of the governance of this great country…”
With the service of the CSO, the president is expected to attain a level of effectiveness in his service. So, who is qualified to fill the ingenious position shoes of Kyari as the new Chief of Staff for Buhari?
Babagana Kingibe is on the top of the list successors which also includes Adamu Adamu, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Emir of Kano, Nasir El Rufai and Muhammad Sanusi II. Mamman Daura Buhari’s nephew is on the list of possible successors. But for his rift between Aisha Buhari, he may be out of the table.
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