*Kyari, the late Chief of Staff to Nigeria’s President Buhari passed on yesterday in Lagos
Abba Kyari, the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari has died of complications from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) at a Lagos hospital. Mr. Kyari had contracted the dreaded disease when he went for an official trip to Germany.
Mr. Femi Adesina, the presidential spokesman, who confirmed the news in a tweet said; “Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari, passes on. May God rest his soul. Amen. Funeral arrangements to be announced soon.” In the same vein, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Garba Shehu also confirmed the death in a terse chat posted on his Twitter handle.
He said: “Presidency regrets to announce the passage of the Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari. The deceased had tested positive to the ravaging COVID-19 and had been receiving treatment. But he died on Friday, April 17, 2020. May God accept his soul. Funeral arrangements will be announced shortly.”
It would be recalled that Kyari tested positive for COVID-19 late last month, following an official trip to Germany nine days before. It was also reported that Kyari had underlying medical conditions. He later rejected these claims and announced his movement from Abuja to Lagos for further treatment. Even when he was receiving treatment at a hospital in Lagos, which the government refused to disclose to Nigerians, Kyari granted interview where he claimed that ‘he was recuperating and would soon resume work.’
While in office, Kyari was an influential figure within the Buhari administration. As a matter of fact, a lot of Nigerians regarded him as the defacto-president especially since all the ministers in the federal republic of Nigeria including the Vice President, Prof. Osinbajo were directed to pass through Kyari to see President Buhari.
During the administration’s first term, he worked mainly behind the scenes to implement the president’s agenda. He also did same during the President’s second term until his death on Friday April 17, 2020 at an undisclosed Lagos hospital.
