Gambari confirmed the existence of an influential plot that was during the presidential period of Buhari

Former Chief of Staff for President Muhammadu Buhari, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, has offered a rare insight into the way the inner work of the former president’s government, confirmed the existence of a strong secret gang and revealed how the President’s Assistant often passed the official channel to influence decision making.

Speaking on the source program in the television channel on Friday night, Gambari detailed how certain people in the presidency exploited the informal tendency to smuggle memos directly to him, violating the official direction that all communication was transferred through the head of the staff office.

“When I entered as the Chief of Staff, [President Buhari] Make a public statement that all memos must pass me before achieving it, even the vice president according to, “said Gambari.” For his credit, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo always passed his memo through me, as well as several ministers. But some people still find ways to get their memos to the president from behind because they know their weak points and who should be used. He never stopped them. “

Gambari, an experienced diplomat and a former UN delegation, served as Chief of Staff from May 13, 2020, until May 29, 2023. He was appointed after the death of his predecessor, Abba Kyari, who held the position until April 2020.

Although officially responsible for the President’s communication, Gambari admitted that he often found this back door memo only after they were returned to his office, explaining the complex and often blurred power structure that characterized the President Buhari.

Reflecting on Buhari’s leadership style, Gambari described the deceased as a loving person who was very committed to the people of Nigeria and was loyal to the people he pointed out.

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“One of the reasons he is reluctant to delete certain cabinet members, even though there is an extraordinary call to do it, is his loyalty and affection to the people he points to,” he said.

Gambari also discussed the old speculation about the existence of “secret gang” in the president of Buhari. He confirmed his presence, saying that the inner circle like that is common throughout the world, even if they use different names.

“They say there is a secret plot, there is,” he said. “Every government has a secret gang. Some call them a kitchen cabinet or think tank institution. Under Obasanjo, you have aboyades and other nearby advisors. Is the nature of the office that requires some trusted people, both inside and outside the government, to whom he can speak freely.”

While acknowledging that members of the circle in Buhari have a significant influence, Gambari insisted that “they know their boundaries.”

He also drew parallel between the Civil Committee Buhari and his time as the head of the state military from 1984 to 1985. Gambari revealed that one of the factors contributing to the dismissal of Buhari in the coup in 1985 was dissatisfaction among military officers at the level of external advice received by the Head of State, especially from civilians.

“I do not know the details of why he was moved, but I was told that the military hated the fact that he relied more on external advice and decisions of guessing from the highest military council,” he said.

President Muhammadu Buhari, who died on July 13, 2025, at the age of 82, led Nigeria both as a military ruler and as a democratic elected president. His political career lasted several decades, which culminated in the eight -year civil presidential from 2015 to 2023.