Former Presidential spokesperson, Femi Adesina, has disclosed that he had a strained relationship with Abba Kyrari, the late Chief of Staff to former President Muhammadu Buhari, adding that he prevented him from seeing his principal for five years till his death.
According to him, Mr Kyari denied him unhindered access to Mr Buhari despite the president’s directive to that effect.
Mr Kyari, who was accused of being a top member of the cabal of the Buhari presidency, died of COVID-19 complications on April 17, 2020, in Lagos.
The ex-presidential media aide made the revelations in his book, ‘Working with Buhari: Reflections of a Special Adviser, Media, and Publicity.
He also alleged that the late COS prevented the funding of media operations of the presidential media directorate until his death.
“In June 2015, I had done a memo to the President recommending some people to be taken on as staff in the Media Department. They had gone through the campaign and struggles with us and pedestaled themselves as dyed-in-the-wool Buharists. They were from different parts of the country.
“I explained that much to Mr. President the day I took the memo to him. He thanked me and said he would pass it to the SGF (Secretary to Government of the Federation) when he appointed one, so it would be on record. Fair enough.
“When a COS (Chief of Staff) and SGF were appointed, the President directed the memo to the COS. Also in order. But Malam Kyari just sat on it for the next one year. He did not say anything on it.
“Eventually, my colleague, Garba Shehu, went to see him. And he confessed to Shehu that he shunned the memo because I had taken it directly to the president. But the June date on it was clear. He had not even been appointed then.
“The second had to do with funding of the media department. There was no budget line, and funds were usually provided by the Office of the NSA, as needs arose. I had consulted with two of my predecessors, Dr. Reuben Abati and Ima Niboro, who had briefed me.
“Media and publicity is not cheap, not anywhere in the world, but it would amaze you that we operated for five years without a dime. After the NSA was appointed, I went to meet and brief him about how publicity was usually funded from his office.