Former Chief of Staff to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, has opened up about how certain individuals within the former president’s close circle frequently bypassed official channels to communicate directly with the president.
Gambari, who served in the position from May 2020 to May 2023, disclosed during an interview on Channels Television’s Inside Sources that despite Buhari’s directive for all official memos to pass through the Chief of Staff, some government officials found ways to reach the president informally.
He explained that these individuals took advantage of Buhari’s “weak moments,” knowing when and how to approach him without going through the official process.
“When I assumed office, the president publicly announced that all memos must go through the Chief of Staff. Even Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, to his credit, complied with this order, as did several ministers,” Gambari said.
“However, some individuals still managed to get their memos to him directly. They understood his weak spots and knew who to use. He never stopped them. But what helped me was that those memos usually found their way back to my desk.”
Gambari’s comments also touched on the controversial notion of a “cabal” within the Buhari administration. He admitted that a powerful inner circle existed but argued that such groups are not unique to Buhari’s government.
“Every administration has a group of trusted individuals—call them a cabal, kitchen cabinet, or think tank. During President Obasanjo’s time, for example, he had a close circle that included people like the Aboyades. It’s just how presidential systems operate,” he said.
Reflecting on Buhari’s earlier stint as military head of state in the 1980s, Gambari, who was then a foreign affairs minister, said the military hierarchy eventually grew frustrated with Buhari’s increasing reliance on civilian advisers. This, he believes, may have contributed to his removal in 1985.
Gambari also spoke on Buhari’s leadership style, describing him as someone who valued loyalty and was often hesitant to dismiss appointees, even under pressure.