Gambari as the balancer in Buhari Presidency

On Tuesday, April 12, 2020, news filtered into the air that the cerebral diplomatist (as described by Professor Bola Akinterinwa) and Ilorin-born prince, Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, was appointed the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari. The ‘rumoured’ or ‘speculated’ appointment became a newshound’s dilemma, especially as the social media and even a handful of traditional media were falling over themselves to be the first to break the news. A humourist’s description of rumour is a piece of news standing on one leg.

Confusion

From across Nigeria, including Ilorin, Kwara state, where the retired don hails from, there was a ceaseless exchange of telephone calls with almost everyone calling the other to establish the veracity or otherwise of the story.  For  a newsman, the situation became so precarious  when those who should know as the president’s image makers particularly the outspoken and articulate Mallam Garba Shehu, consistently told inquisitive reporters that he was yet to be briefed and not even aware. Like the Yoruba would say, oro yi so si ni lenu, o tun buyo si, which  literally means the matter has farted into one’s mouth and added salt to it. You dare not swallow fart neither will you be too willing to spit out salt as waste.  Incredible!  This news item became something else that traditional media treated with caution. It was indeed a confusion galore.  But reading between the lines, Shehu’s response gave a hint of something in the offing. 

Well, why the appointment was allowed to become a matter for media speculation and conjecture still remains a mystery, since he had already been billed to attend the virtual Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting the next day as reported by Blueprint newspapers . Well, all is now history, because by the following day, the rumour developed the second leg to give the news authenticity. 

Today, a successor to the late Mallam Abba Kyari is now in place at the Villa after about three-week hiatus that left everyone speculating about who would step into the enviable shoes.

The job

For whatever it is worth, the iconic scholar whose erudition has significantly contributed to global peace is here being confronted with a barrage of domestic challenges on which Nigerians expect him to bring his wealth of experience to confront.  The question here now is; “How cut-out is the job of a chief of staff in any setting?” While I may not be competent to answer this poser, I hasten to hazard a guess that he/she is that influential member of the president’s kitchen cabinet who has his/her fingers on the many proverbial pies.

It implies, therefore, that a neophyte is not fit for the office at whatever level because the principal  will be confronted with a myriad of governance cum administrative  challenges that would require some adeptness at fixing them. Besides, the choice should also be a trusted ally, confidant and above all one who is tested. All these qualities Prof. Gambari possesses in excess. Little wonder that virtually, all agreed that his appointment was the best the president ever made.    

The reality

For a 1974 doctorate degree holder in international relations, whose experience cuts across academia, government and international spectrum, one can safely conclude he is not likely to be overwhelmed by the demand of that office. However, like a common Yoruba proverb says, Igi ti aba fi ojudi ni ohun gunni loju, which means the tree that one denigrates wreaks havoc in the eyes.  If the tale we hear about the Villa is anything to go by, he would need more that his expertise, sense of judgement, diplomatic savvy and above all his mercurial teaching skills to man the top office.

Coming from an international background where things are done rightly and honestly, the egghead should be ready to absorb some bullets from a few people who are conversant with bending the rules to get things done in their favour.  As an accomplished political scientist and major influence at the international level, it’s not in doubt that his diplomatic wizardry will be a major weapon to be deployed in this regard.

For Gambari, playing a mediatory and advisory role in the Buhari Presidency won’t in any way pose a serious challenge because, this was a major assignment for him in his about three decades in the United Nations’ mediation adventures. He has come as a balancer and stabiliser of a slacking and staggering presidency much characterised by intrigues and power play. He will also be expected to re-enact the Dafur magic by engineering a process towards resting the insurgency and banditry that have become common sights in Nigeria   

With a supportive National Assembly, he may not have too much of a challenge there, considering the fact that the legislature is peopled mostly by members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). However, with the NASS leadership saying they are no rubber stamp, handling any seeming frosty relationship between the two arms of government could only bring out his dispute resolution and negotiation skills.

Age and mental alertness

Yes, he is 75-year-old, but his level of mental alertness, eloquence and logical presentation of issues belie his age and can hardly be matched by a 50-year-old. What should be of paramount importance is the ability combined with agility to navigate the new turf, which it is generally acknowledged he has in abundance.

Without doubt, one sees an intellectually-driven Presidency where Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, a professor of law whose loyalty to Mr. President has never been in doubt, thriving to its fullest as Gambari settles into the job.

Commendation        

No appointment, under the present administration has received so much of deafening accolades like that of this former varsity teacher. And like the APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu said, his appointment was prudent and thoughtful. Indeed, Tinubu further said, the new Cos is not new to APC. Has the hen finally come to roost?

The commendation from former Senate President Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, both major opposition figures, is a further attestation to Gambari’s  acceptance as one well cut out for the job. 

My agenda 

And with his first interview after the appointment, the chief of staff is quite conscious of what his jobs are and what they are not.

Yes, he said he won’t be reporting directly to the nation but the president, but with a vow to be loyal, provide best advice and ensure the machinery of government runs smoothly.

“I am not to be heard but to be there for the president. My duty is to be dedicated and to know the priority of the president.

My job will depend on the demand of the office. I am an assistant to the president; a principal assistant to the president. That should be understood from the beginning,” he said.

The stark reality of him not to be heard after taking over the job is not too palatable to the media because he is always a reporter’s delight. But, if that’s what the office demands, why not, if not?  

Caution

Sound, brilliant, capable, cerebral and highly diplomatic as he is, this respected international peace wager must not fail to heed the warning from Professor Akin Oyebode, a professor of law at the University of Lagos.

 Featuring on a TVC programme – Journalists’ Hangout, Oyebode said this global citizen should be wary of what he called ‘banana peels’ that litter the seat of power.  

 “Yes, he’s well-qualified to be the chief of staff, he has what it takes to do the job because he has both international and local clouts. But he should beware of the banana peels in that place (Aso Rock).”

The takeaway

And for President Buhari, it is Gambari in whom he is well pleased! But, there is a takeaway here that is very instructive. After Gambari came Kyari! Not even his background as a Fulani man as well as a Muslim or a northerner taking over the office previously occupied by a fellow northerner, would generate any furore even from worst of Buhari’s critics. That shows the nationalistic sense in Nigerians.

While it is not in doubt that taking up the CoS appointment is the highest sacrifice a global citizen of his status could make for his fatherland, it is hoped that the international peace expert would still justify the privilege as he did in his previous appointments.  

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