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CoS: As Buhari’s assistant, I’m not to be heard – Gambari

Gambari's

…Says he will provide Mr. President with best advice to ensure the Presidency runs smoothly

…Atiku, Tinubu, Govs, others hail appointment, say ex-External Affairs minister will deliver

Professor Ibrahim Gambari, new chief of staff (CoS) to President Muhammadu Buhari, has said that as the president’s assistant, he is not to be heard.

Gambari disclosed this when he appeared as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday night, adding that he would provide the president with the “best advice to organise the office and to make sure that the machinery runs smoothly.”

“It is about the president, not about the chief of staff.

“I am, as the chief of staff, his assistant, one of his assistants, and maybe one of his principal assistants; and that has to be understood right from the beginning.

“The chief of staff is not to be heard but to be there to serve the president and to make sure his priorities are carried out efficiently, properly and broadly,” he said during the phone-in programme.

He also told Nigerians to expect a “very loyal, dedicated and hopefully, efficient service” to the president in terms of his priorities and legacy.

Asked how he would interact with Nigerians, he said: “That will be dependent on the demands of the office but as I said, it is not about the chief of staff but is about the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Speaking earlier with State House correspondents on Wednesday after his unveiling, Gambari thanked Buhari for giving him the opportunity to serve, adding that he will serve the President to the best of his ability.

Asked what Nigerians should expect from him, he said: “I think you have to ask the president.”

The journalist responded with laughter after which the new chief of staff continued: “I have not started, so I will find out… I don’t report directly to the nation; I report directly to the president.”

On what he has to offer the president, he said: “My loyalty, competence and support… I think he needs my loyalty, competence and support.”

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, announced the appointment of Gambari at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) virtual meeting on Wednesday.

Gambari, who the Daily Times reported would be unveiled on Wednesday at the virtual meeting of the Federal Executive Council meeting, replaces Mallam Abba Kyari who who died from complications of COVID-19 last month.

He hails from Kwara State and was the minister of External Affairs from 1984 to 1985 under Buhari’s military regime.

He also served as the under secretary-general of the UN and special adviser to the secretary-general on Africa between 1999 and 2005.

Meanwhile, prominent personalities including former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and state governors among others have congratulated the new chief of staff to President Buhari on his appointment.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in his congratulatory message posted on his official Twitter handle said he hopes that Gambari will deploy his varied skills in service to the nation.

“Congratulations Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, CFR on your appointment as Chief of Staff to @MBuhari.

“It is my hope and expectation and those of millions of Nigerians that you will deploy your varied skills garnered over the years in the service of our nation,” Atiku tweeted on Wednesday.

In a statement on Wednesday, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing Ibrahim Gambari as his new Chief of Staff, noting tat the professor of political science, is a prudent choice at this crucial moment.

“The appointment of Prof. Ibrahim Agboola Gambari as the new Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari is a laudable one. Prof. Gambari is a renowned diplomat, statesman and scholar who has served this nation in many important positions.

“His intellect, broad experience and skills in administration and diplomacy have adequately prepared and equipped him for the important job he now has. I congratulate Professor Gambari on his selection and commend President Buhari for making such a thoughtful and prudent choice at this crucial moment.”

Tinubu said the new aide would help President Buhari advance his policy and governance priorities “just as he did in the past when he served as Minister of External Affairs in the 1980s.”

The former Lagos State governor said he had known Gambari for a while and he is not a stranger to the ruling party.

“My personal knowledge of Chief of Staff Gambari is that he is an erudite man who knows and loves this country and who strongly believes in the Nigerian project and President Buhari’s change agenda. He is no stranger to our party, APC, and its progressive national vision.

“Over a long and illustrious career, Prof. Gambari has proved his mettle nationally and internationally. His resume takes a back seat to none. He distinguished himself as an Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and as the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Cyprus, Zimbabwe and Myanmar and Special Representative in Angola.”

He, however, noted that the recent appointment is a tough assignment for Gambari, perhaps the hardest he has had.

“But he is a special person with great attributes. He will meet the challenge by discharging his duties with excellence and high purpose,” Tinubu stated.

Gbajabiamila says Gambari will use his experience to make Nigeria better

Also, former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, said Gambari is “a decent man, a cerebral academic, disciplined diplomat who is coming in with the necessary pedigree that will help him to do well on the job.

“I have no doubt that he will succeed on this onerous assignment. I urge all Nigerians to give him all the support that he needs to perform in office,” Saraki posted on Twitter.

Former Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, also applauded President Buhari for appointing Gambari as his new chief of staff.

According to a statement he issued on Wednesday, the former Kwara State governor believes that Gambari’s exemplary stint as Minister for Foreign Affairs Affairs during President Buhari’s tenure as Head of State provided the President with a first-hand insight into Gambari’s leadership qualities.

“Given these antecedents, I know that Prof Gambari will prove a stellar and loyal anchor for the President in this new assignment”.

Also, the Northern Governors’ Forum (NGF) has congratulated Prof. Gambari on his appointment as the Chief of Staff to President Buhari.

The Chairman of the forum and Governor of Plateau State, Mr. Simon Lalong, in a congratulatory message issued by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr. Makut Macham, on Wednesday in Jos, said that the appointment as well- deserved.

He described Gambari as an accomplished diplomat and administrator, whose vast experience and qualifications, both at home and abroad, would help him discharge his duties diligently.

“We are delighted with the opportunity that Mr President has given Prof. Gambari to serve the nation.

“The professor comes into the job with huge experience and knowledge on governance and service, which we believe will enable him perform well.

”As Northern governors, we assure him of our support and prayers, as he takes on this very important role,” he said.

According to Lalong, the new chief of staff will assist the president in delivering on his campaign promises to Nigerians.

Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, also commended Buhari for “his choice of such a consummate professional as his Chief of Staff.”

Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has also described the appointment of Prof. Gambari as the Chief of Staff (CoS) to President Buhari as a round peg in a round hole.

Mr. Olusegun Ajiboye, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, in a statement on Wednesday in Akure, said Akeredolu made the description in view of Gambari’s experience in both national and global politics.

According to the governor, Gambari’s long public career and as a university teacher will come in handy in his new role.

”With the experience garnered over the years as an astute diplomat and a gentleman, Ambassador Gambari is bringing his wealth of experience to enhance the good works of the President and his cabinet,” he said.

While wishing Gambari success in his new role, Akeredolu said he was confident that the new Chief of Staff would not disappoint the nation.

The governor thanked the President for his choice, adding that the appointment of Gambari has once again shown President Buhari as a leader who mean well for the nation.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige has also commended President Buhari for choosing Prof Gambari, an aristocrat, as his new Chief of Staff.

In a statement signed by his media aide, Mr Emmanuel Nzomiwu, on Wednesday, Ngige said Buhari could not have made a better choice than Gambari.

Tinubu says Gambari not a stranger to APC

According to him, Gambari is a renowned scholar and a front-line gladiator in international politics and diplomacy, an aristocrat with high intellectual background, imbued with vast public service experience.

Ngige congratulated Gambari on his new appointment, saying that it was well deserved.

Ngige recalled that Gambari had at different times in the past, distinguished himself as External Affairs Minister from January 1984 to August 1985, Ambassador/Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations from 1990 to 1999 and Chairperson African Union Commission.

“It is our hope that his huge knowledge of public service and wealth of experience will be brought to bear on the domestic policies of the Buhari administration and foreign policy thrust, to chart a new course in these trying times,” he said.

Ngige expressed optimism that Gambari would make immeasurable and invaluable contributions towards the realisation of the next level agenda of the Buhari administration, geared towards achieving a united, economically viable and prosperous Nigeria.

He wished the new Chief of Staff the best of luck as he embarked on his new assignment and assured him of the full cooperation of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.

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Ihesiulo Grace

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