President Buhari Doesn’t Use and Dump, Rewards Loyalty- Gambari

Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Prof Ibrahim Gambari, yesterday described his principal as someone who does not ‘use and dump’ his subordinates like regular politicians in the country but rather rewards loyalty.

Gambari stated this while responding to eulogies poured on him by the leadership of the State House and his staff in a reception organized to mark his 78th birthday in the Presidential Villa.

The Chief of Staff recalled how he, as Minister of Foreign Affairs, was ousted alongside Buhari, the then Military Head of State, in the coup of August 1985; and how he was appointed as the Chief of Staff by the same man after having won the election for the second term as the nation’s President.

According to him, “When I came on board, I said my job is simple – to give loyalty, competence, and support and that’s why even when Mr. President sees me and calls Chief of Staff, I say yes sir; but the emphasis is on ‘Staff’ not on ‘Chief’ because there is only one Chief and that’s the President and we must support him loyally and competently.

“When I was offered this job by the President, he brought out a picture that was taken in June 1985, it was at the OAU Summit. The then Head of State was sitting in the middle, and his then Chief Press Secretary, Wada Maida, was to his right.

“And he said: do you remember this picture? I said ‘No sir, but I remember the occasion. He said: ‘well, you were my Foreign Minister, we were kicked out of government in 1985, 35 years later, I find the opportunity to bring you back.

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“He said ‘we were interrupted then and I am bringing you back now to let you continue where we stopped. I thanked him very much and I said can I hold this picture so that I can make a copy? He said no, I kept mine, go and find yours.

“There are three reasons why I put that picture in front of my office. First, to return to the important point of departure; to show the kind of person our President is. He doesn’t forget those who have worked with him, who have served him loyally, and in whom he has confidence. Some other people use and dump, not him.”

In a goodwill remark, Deputy Chief of Staff (Vice-President), Ade Ipaye, described Gambari as a renowned diplomat with a large image and heart, who has “entirely fulfilled his promise” of running a joint administration of the presidency.

Describing his boss as a teacher, Ipaye said he had looked forward to working with Gambari, and learning from him, and “I have since not been disappointed for once”.

The State House Permanent Secretary, Tijani Umar, also eulogized Gambari for living up to his words to ensure a united presidency traversing the offices of the President and the Vice-President, without adversary camps.

He described the Chief of Staff as a teacher and mentor, who has been quite approachable and responsive to the concerns of the staff of the State House.

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Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, noted that while others have their offices defining them, Gambari had defined himself before he was appointed Chief of Staff.

“He already had value before coming here and was not coming to get value. He is now adding value to the Presidency. We have worked seamlessly together since your arrival here, and I appreciate that.

“I remember how when you assumed office and at our first meeting, you simply asked me to see you as a senior uncle. You look good at 78 and we pray for God to give you more years in good health”, Adesina said.