Divergent interests have been mounting pressures on President Muhammadu Buhari for the appointment of their respective loyalist as the Chief of Staff to to the President after the death of Abba Kyari. The competing power blocs in the Nigerian presidency were said to have stood against the appointment of Babagana Kingibe by President Buhari as the new Chief of Staff.
However, Kingibe was gathered to have denied any interest in the appointment.
Mamman Daura appears to be back to internal power politics of the Presidential Villa. He was gathered to be lobbying for Adamu Adamu for the Chief of Staff to the President.
The wife of the President, Hajia Aisha Buhari, was said to be sponsoring retired Brigadier Buba Marwa for the Chief of Staff appointment.
Former Governor of Kano State, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, was identified as a contender for the CoS job.
Some interests have linked the Comptroller General of Customs, retired Colonel Hameed Ali, to the jostle for the Chief of Staff appointment. Ali may not get the endorsement of Daura because the CG’s personal closeness to Buhari which jeopardise Daura’s influence in the Presidency.
Some other interests are said to be lobbying for the return of retired Major Hamza El-Mustapha to the State House as Chief of Staff to Buhari.
Some others have been identified to be in the race for the CoS appointment. However, it was gathered that President Buhari is not in a hurry to appoint a new CoS. The President has been in isolation before the death of Abba Kyari and is yet to resume public activities. Apparently, the various lobby groups can seldom access Buhari at the moment.
Again, Babagana Kingibe is out of the aspirants for the CoS appointment.