As Coronavirus Hits Nigeria Where It Hurts Most

Abba Kyari

Coronavirus has given Nigeria a devastating blow. It has hit Nigeria where it hurts most. It has hit Nigeria’s leadership. We are thus having a big crisis in our hands. No country fighting the dreaded disease has been hit such a devastating blow as Nigeria right now. This is not based on figures. Nigeria has only recorded one death and 44 confirmed cases. You may think that cannot be compared to Italy where the war against coronavirus has already consumed over 5,000 lives. However, Nigeria’s case could become worse because the virus has hit the leadership that should be in the forefront of the war against this demonic disease. But alas we can never tell for sure the condition of health of some of those leading the war, presently.

When the news filtered that Abba Kayari, the powerful chief of staff of President Muhammadu Buhari had tested positive for coronavirus, it sent shock waves across the country that is still reverberating. Kayari is not only very powerful in the Buhari administration in which he is seen rightly or wrongly as the arrowhead of the so-called cabal in the Buhari Presidency, but he is perhaps the most powerful chief of staff  in Nigeria’s democratic history. He is like the one-man think tank of the administration. Nothing gets done without his approval or at least without him convincing the President on the need for such policy or programme. He may look old and frail, but his brain is said to be sharp and engaging and his coordination of the Buhari Presidency has been impressive.

He is working to protect the interest of his employer, but others detest the powers he wields.  Many power mongers had wanted him out of the corridors of power. They were thus alarmed when he staged a comeback following the reelection of President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 presidential election. He was not only reappointed to his position  by Buhari, his powers was also increased.

At the beginning of his second term, President Muhammadu Buhari served notice that Abba Kyari is the man. The President made it clear that none of his appointees, including his ministers should come to him directly for any official matter, insisting that they must be cleared by Abba Kyari before they could see him. If you like he is the gatekeeper of the Aso Rock. He determines who gets in and who don’t. Such power attracts love, hate and jealousy. And Kyari never had them in short supply in his over five years in the Presidency, which explained why some misguided people were on the celebratory mood on social media on learning that the technocrat had tested positive for coronavirus. In their foolery, they failed to realize that what had hit Abba Kyari is a national calamity, because by his power and position the virus has hit a man who could transmit it to those who together with him is leading the war against coronavirus and this is putting the country in danger.

Thankfully media reports indicate that President Muhammadu Buhari tested negative for coronavirus , but even at that the president does not run the country alone, as people like Kyari are the engine room of his government. Newspapers’ headlines claimed that Aso Rock is on lockdown, and if the headlines are true it begs the question about those leading the war. If the Presidency that should be leading the war is on lockdown, then how coordinated is the war effort? This is also where it is most worrisome.

Abba Kyari’s recent travel history showed that he had travelled to Germany, UK and Egypt. On his return to the country he has had several meetings with other top government officials including governors, ministers, top civil servants. Already there are calls that all those that had contact with him should be on self-isolation or quarantine. And most of those who had meetings with him are involved in the war against coronavirus.

The situation is not helped by the governor of Bauchi State testing positive for coronavirus. The governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, is a member of Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF). The Bauch governor was said to have recently attended the NGF meeting in Abuja. If that is the case the lives of the state governors that ought to be leading their various states to fight against the scourge of coronavirus are in danger. This is the danger that Nigeria faces. Those who should be leading the war effort are now potential victims. It is worrisome. It is unique to Nigeria. No other country in the coronavirus war has had its leadership so badly threatened by the virus like this.