How Late Abba Kyari Frustrated Me Femi Adesina

Femi Adesina, former spokesperson for the president

Femi Adesina, the former spokesperson for the president, revealed that he had a tense relationship with Abba Kyari, the late President Muhammadu Buhari's chief of staff. He also added that Abba Kyari kept him from seeing his principal for five years until his passing.

The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity for President Buhari, Adesina, claimed that he had been in this situation since the beginning of his tenure at the Aso Rock Villa and that Kyari had refused to give him unrestricted access to the President in spite of a directive from the President.

In his book “Working with Buhari: Reflections of a Special Adviser, Media and Publicity (2015–2023),” the former presidential media aide disclosed this and added that the former COS purposefully stopped Buhari from providing funding for the presidential media office's operations for a period of five years.

Adesina said that he tried in vain to resolve the conflict with Kyari by contacting his colleague spokesperson, Garba Shehu.

He said to have checked with former President Goodluck Jonathan's advisors, Dr. Reuben Abati and Ima Niborowho, and they both attested to the fact that the media office was supported during their tenure.

It reads partly; “In June 2015, I had done a memo to the President, recommending some people to be taken on as staff in the Media Department. They had gone through the campaign and struggles with us and pedestaled themselves as dyed-in-the-wool Buharists. They were from different parts of the country.” Adesina stated

“I explained that much to Mr. President the day I took the memo to him. He thanked me and said he would pass it to the SGF (Secretary to Government of the Federation) when he appointed one, so it would be on record. Fair enough.

“When a COS (Chief of Staff) and SGF were appointed, the President directed the memo to the COS. Also in order. But Malam kyari just sat on it for the next one year. He did not say anything on it.”