Buhari’s directive to ministers on Abba Kyari is ‘standard global practice’ —BMO

The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) has defended President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive to newly sworn-in ministers to access his office through his Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari.

The directive sparked controversy as many Nigerians saw it as confirmation that Kyari was usurping some of the powers of the president as widely rumoured.

But dismissing the criticisms of the directive, BMO claimed it was standard global practice.

A statement from the group on Friday said, “The office of the Chief of Staff (CoS) to the President is not only the hub of most issues that require the President’s attention but also of paramount importance for the smooth running of the administration.

“President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive to his Ministers to channel their submission to him through his Chief of Staff, Mallam Abba Kyeri, is quite in order. It is in fact standard practice globally”.

In the statement signed by its Chairman, Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary, Cassidy Madueke, the group said critics of the directive were either uninformed or were hoodwinkers.

Read also: APC warns members against interfering in EFCC, ICPC investigation of Yari

“For the avoidance of doubt, no new power has been conferred on the office of the Chief of Staff except that the President has chosen to run an administration that is better organized.

“We also wish to remind critics of this directive that in developed societies, especially the United States of America from where we copied our presidential system of government, the office of the Chief of Staff is key to driving the successful delivery of good governance to the citizens, and Nigeria’s case cannot be different.

“Additionally, the President, in his wisdom, is desirous of avoiding the staccato arrangement of the past that was disorderly and uncoordinated, even as it hampered the smooth running of government activities”, it said.

BMO noted that “President Buhari runs a more organised and streamlined system, aimed at ensuring a seamless operation of government activities, without unnecessary delays or hasty decision-making.

“We, therefore, implore Nigerians not to be taken in by the antics of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and a few disgruntled elements who never see anything good in an administration that is not only people-oriented but is focused at fighting corruption, improving the economy and combating the insurgency. The PDP should not equate its profligate era with the Buhari administration that is focused on rebuilding the country”, it added.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now