Professor Ibrahim Gambari, the former Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, has revealed that despite the President’s directive for all government memos to pass through his office, some influential individuals managed to bypass the process, thereby undermining Buhari’s authority.
Gambari, who held the position from 2020 to 2023 following the death of Abba Kyari, made the revelation while reflecting on his time in office.
According to him, President Buhari was clear in his instruction that all official communications—including those from the Vice President—must go through the Chief of Staff. Yet, powerful actors within the administration found ways around this.
“When I was appointed as Chief of Staff, the President made it clear that every memo must pass through my office—even the Vice President complied. Yet, some people still found ways to bypass the process. They knew the weak points—who to use—and he never stopped them,” Gambari disclosed.
Although he did not name anyone, his comments echo long-standing concerns raised by former First Lady Aisha Buhari, who frequently warned of a “cabal” exerting undue influence during her husband’s tenure.
Key figures commonly believed to be part of this inner circle include the late Abba Kyari, Mamman Daura—Buhari’s nephew—and Sabiu “Tunde” Yusuf, a close aide. These individuals were often accused of influencing appointments, sidelining formal channels, and controlling access to the President.
Gambari acknowledged that while Buhari remained in control in many situations, he sometimes chose not to counter the cabal’s actions due to political expediency.
“When some memos came back to me and we talked about certain decisions, he would immediately change some. But for others, he would say, ‘Prof., let this go—just to protect me,’” Gambari added.
The former diplomat’s revelations come amid a period of national mourning following the death of Muhammadu Buhari.
The former president died in a London hospital after a prolonged illness. His body was flown back to Nigeria and laid to rest in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, on Tuesday, July 15, by Islamic rites.
A state funeral was held with President Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and several governors and dignitaries in attendance.
The presidency has declared three days of national mourning to honour the former military and civilian leader who governed Nigeria from 1983 to 1985 and again from 2015 to 2023.