Abba Kyari, Other Late Officials Remain Listed As Buhari’s Aides

The late former Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, is one of those still listed as aides to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), weeks or months after they have vacated their seats either through death or replacement.

A check on the website of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on Friday showed that Kyari was still on the updated list of political appointees over a month after he died due to complications arising from COVID-19.

Kyari died on April 17 and has since been replaced by Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, whose appointment was confirmed by the SGF, Boss Mustapha, on May 13. Over a week after the announcement, Kyari still occupies the fourth position on the list, coming after Buhari; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; and Mustapha.

Another person still on the list is Prof. Charles Dokubo, who was suspended as the Special Adviser to the President/Coordinator, Presidential Amnesty Programme in February.

Dokubo, who was appointed on March 13, 2018, was suspended based on the recommendation of the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno. He is still occupying the third position on the list of special advisers to the President.

In an exclusive report published on November 16, 2019, It was noted that some government officials who had been replaced and a late official still made the updated list of political appointees. Six months after that report, no effort was made to update the list which is conspicuously displayed on the website.

For instance, the late Tijjani Yusuf is still on the list of special assistants. He is listed as Special Assistant to the President on General Duties.

The Presidency had in a July 3, 2019 statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, announced Yusuf’s death.

Also still on the list is a former Chairman of the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property, Okoi Obono-Obla.

He was listed as the Special Assistant to the President on (Prosecution), Federal Ministry of Justice.

After his sacking as the SPIP chairman, the Presidency, again through a September 17, 2019 press statement by Adesina, announced the dissolution of the panel.

Another person that is still on the list a member representing Kano Municipal Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Shaaban Sharada.

His name still appeared on the list despite winning an election to represent his people during the 2019 general elections.

Also curiously in the list are the names of two official photographers for the Vice-President.

Novo Isioro was still listed as the Special Assistant to the President (Visual Communication), Office of the VP, despite the fact that the lady appointed on August 12, 2017, had since stopped working with the Presidency.