Presidency Says Gambari Has No Powers To Cancel Appointments

President Muhammadu Buhari has debunked reports that he ceded his appointment powers to late chief of staff, Abba Kyari or any official of his government as the case may be.

Kyari died of corona virus in April and had since been buried.

In his lifetime, the politician from Borno state was believed to have been the most influential presidency official.

There were reports that he made high profile government appointments without the knowledge of the president.

Last week, a newspaper in a report, quoting unknown sources said, the president has cancelled over 150 memos and appointments made by the late CoS.

The new chief of staff, Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, the report said, discovered the sham and directed a reversal.

The report, however, did not mention any of the appointments reversed.

Citing the sources close to the new chief of Staff, Ibrahim Gambari, the paper said the president was not happy that such approvals were made without Buhari’s approval.

But the Presidency, last night described the report incorrect and a figment of the imagination of the writer.

It said President Buhari is capable of discharging his duties and has not directed anybody to make appointment on his behalf.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity Mallam Garba Shehu made this revelation, describing the report as mischievous.

Shehu said “The attention of the Presidency has been drawn to media reports alleging that President Muhammadu Buhari has cancelled a number of memos and appointments signed off by his former Chief of Staff. Not surprisingly, these reports have quoted unnamed sources.

There is not a grain of truth in these reports and Nigerians should please ignore the insinuations behind them.

President Buhari was duly re-elected by Nigerians in February 2019. He has not and will never cede to anyone else, that power and trust given to him by the Nigerian people.”

Meanwhile, many Nigerians have described recent appointments by President Buhari as being too lopsided in favour of a particular region.

The president, they insist  must adhere strictly to the federal character in making any further appointments.