Oyo-Ita, Abba Kyari quarrel over leaked memo

The Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HOSF), Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita and the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari on Wednesday reportedly had an altercation over the issue of a memo the HOSF purportedly wrote to President Muhammadu Buhari on the recall of Abdularasheed Maina who was sacked last week.

Although it was not clear why Oyo-Ita was in a foul mood at the Council Chambers, the popular thinking was that it was over her leaked memo to Buhari.

The incident happened on Wednesday before the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting began at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Oyo-Ita’s angry reaction was witnessed by all those who were in the Council Chambers for the swearing-in of the new Secretary to the Government or the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha and the launch of the 2018 Armed Forces emblem.

The altercation was said to have happened at Council Chambers while many members of FEC were also in the hall.

There was also camera recordings where Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Abba Kyari were seen discussing with Oyo-Ita, shortly before the FEC meeting , which started at about 10:55am.

But Oyo-Ita, who usually appears calm during public events, was seen angrily gesticulating on Wednesday while trying to make her point in what appeared to be a heated argument with Kyari.

She later went back to her seat and then rose and headed straight to Osinbajo, who also engaged her in a discussion over the issue.

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno, later joined the conversation after the Secretary to the Government of the Federation was seen calming Oyo-Ita.

Deputy Chief of Staff Ade Ipaye was thereafter asked Oyo-Iya to return to her seat when it was obvious that all eyes were on them.

The drama, which reportedly lasted about 10 minutes, was witnessed by Senate President Bukola Saraki, Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen, Adamawa State Governor Jibrila Bindu, All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun, Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, Inspector General of Police and heads of paramilitary service among others.

Oyo-Ita, had in the leaked memo purportedly emanated from her office, reportedly warned the President against the recall of Maina.

Maina was in 2013 recommended for dismissal by the Federal Civil Service Commission for absconding from duty, following a recommendation by the Office of the Head of Service.

He was also accused of leading a massive pension fraud scheme in 2012 amounting to more than N100billion.

He was drafted by former President Goodluck Jonathan administration in 2010 to sanitise the pension system.