“Cabal Members Bypassed Me to Smuggle Memos to Buhari” — Ex-Chief of Staff Gambari Reveals
By Erewunmi Peace
Former Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, has revealed that during his tenure at the Presidency, certain influential insiders—often referred to as the “cabal”—bypassed him to deliver memos directly to the president.
Gambari made this revelation during an interview on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, aired on Channels Television.
According to the former diplomat, although President Buhari had officially mandated that all memos be routed through the Chief of Staff’s office, some aides exploited their personal access to the president to sneak in memos informally.
“They knew his weak moments. They knew when to smuggle [memos] because they knew him,” Gambari said.
“Even the Vice President and some ministers followed due process. But some people in the Villa still found ways to bypass me.”
Gambari, who served as Chief of Staff from 2020 until Buhari left office in 2023, acknowledged that every administration has an inner circle or “cabal,” but emphasized that their influence in the Buhari administration often interfered with official channels.
He added that despite these challenges, he maintained professionalism and carried out his responsibilities to the best of his ability.
The revelations have sparked fresh discussions about the power dynamics within Aso Rock during Buhari’s tenure and the extent to which informal networks influenced key decisions.
