How Abba Kyari’s Friends and Family Failed Him

By Chuks Ekpeneru

Aisha, one of the children of the late Chief of Staff of President Muhammadu Buhari, Malam Abba Kyari, within the week appealed to Nigerians to allow her father rest in peace.

This is understandable considering the avalanche of negative comments attributed to the late CoS.

At a time every negative action of the Buhari administration was attributed to Kyari.

While Kyari was alive, Nigerians were fed with stories of his altercation with the National Security Adviser, Major-General Babagana Monguno (rtd.) who complained that Kyari hijacked his duties.

There was the alarm raised by the first lady, Aisha Buhari that the cabal has hijacked the Presidency of the country.

Nigerians watched on television the open spat with former Head of Service of the Federation, Winifred Oyo-Ita who was eventually removed and arraigned in court.

Some also say Kyari had a hand in the removal of former Chief Justice of the Federation, Walter Onnoghen.

Kyari was also rumoured to be acting as the Vice-President with Yemi Osinbajo sidelined by the cabal.

These negative comments are however countered by messages which came in as tribute on the demise of the Borno born lawyer, journalist, banker, politician etc.

While positive comments have expectedly come from his friends and those he worked with, the surprising comments about the man from strange political quarters have gripped Nigerians.

Among the most surprising comments were those of Chief Femi Fani-Kayode who in his tribute lamented Kyari’s death saying:

“I have lost a friend of 40 years. We were at Cambridge together. We worked in my father’s law firm together. We remained close throughout right up until the end even though we disagreed politically. Abba was a good man: a man of honor & a loyal friend.”

The U.S. government was quoted as describing the late Kyari as a dedicated public servant and respected interlocutor for the American government.

Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, in a statement in Abuja said the US eulogized the important role played by Kyari in the repatriation of over 300 million dollars in funds stolen by the former head of state, Sani Abacha.

Senator Ike Ekweremadu in his own tribute said:

“I am deeply saddened by the news of the passing on of the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Mallam Abba Kyari.

“It is a heavy loss to The Presidency and the nation, which he gave his all.

Also, oil tycoon, Prince Arthur Eze, in a tribute said Kyari’s loyalty was responsible for the successes achieved so far by the administration.

In similar vein, Mallam Mamman Daura said Kyari assembled a team of very competent staff who worked incredibly long hours, 7 days a week to analyse, itemize, disaggregate knotty problems and advise the President.

“Mallam Abba was an exacting taskmaster and his staff were relieved if he travelled outside the country. But to a man they valued, respected some even liked him,” Daura said.

The Economist of London said Kyari,  tried to clean up Nigeria before his demise.

The paper described Kyari as “a largely honourable man” who wanted the best for his country.

The Economist said Kyari was often bothered about the degree of corruption in the country and thought of ways to end.

For Aisha, the place of her father in history is a source of concern.

While the father was alive and dominated the Aso Rock Villa, she must have read all the negative stories about him. Then she could have played a role in letting Nigerians know who the dad was. She could also have been an unofficial adviser.

To what extent did the family and friends help to advise him to project the Buhari administration in a better light in the light of its policies, programmes and appointments.

However, it speaks volumes that friends and family who saw the good sides of Kyari that the majority of Nigerians did not see did not reckon that reputation once established is difficult to erase.

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