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Without Having An Appointment
Aso-Rock in Abuja is the seat of government. That is where Pres. Bola Ahmed Tinubu runs Nigeria. Security is exptectedly tight. And you can’t just see the President unless you are on Appointment.
That is why people always say in Aso Rock, Protocol is King. You can’t just badge into the President’s wing to see him without Clearance. You must have applied to see him and your request granted, before you are even allowed in, at any time.
But there are about 25 powerful people who can just walk in, call his phone directly or get him on WhatsApp, no matter what time it is. Everyone goes through the Chief of Staff, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila or Hakeem Muri Okunola, the Principal Secretary to Pres. Tinubu or the ADC.
But there are some important personalities who can walk in without appointments.
They are as follows: Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, his wife who is the First Lady. Apart from being is wife, she is involved in the running of government.
She is the President’s first sounding board, on appointments, or major decisions. She not only has Access, she can also facilitate Access for anyone she thinks the President must see.
Vice President Shettima is also high influential. He chairs NEC meeting, so anything about Governors, the Economy, states goes through him first and he filters them. He has Access because of his position. He does daily briefing and can enter Pres. Tinubu’s office anytime. When he talks to the President on sensitive issues, the President usually listens.
Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to the President is another powerful aide of the President who has uncontrolled access to his boss.
He controls the calander, files and the itinerary of the President., He decides who the President should see. He sits next room to the President. He is usually the last person to see the President before he retires to sleep. He is so powerful.
Like they say, if he says no to your request, you won’t have access.
There is also Hakeem Muri Okunola, who is the President’s Principal Secretary. He is one of the most powerful behind-the-scene men in the Aso Rock right now. They have come a long way. He is like the President’s son. They were together in Lagos in those good old days. He can see Oga any time he chooses to. He was the 22nd Head of Service of Lagos State from 2018 to 2023.
Seyi Tinubu is another powerful and influential Nigerian who has access to Mr. President. Of course, he should. He is the President’s favourite son. He is also in charge of some special duties for the President.
The President trusts him a lot and he handles private things for him. Part of his unofficial role is to ensure that the President is well taken care of.
Senator Godswill Akpabio, the Senate President is very close to the President. He constantly briefs the President on the running of government from the legislative perspective, just like his counterpart in the House of Reps, Speaker Tajudeen Abass.
The National Security Adviser, Alhaji Nuhu Ribadu is also very close to the President and briefs him frequently on field reports.
Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa is also another person the President doesn’t joke with. He breezes in and out of Aso Rock from time to time. He just moved from the Barracks to the Cabinet.
The APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, is also one person who constantly sees the President for briefings. He tells the President about the political temperature of the party and the President shares his ideas with him for implementation.
Gov. Hope Uzodimma, the Governor of Imo and Chairman Governor Forum speaks for all the 36 Governors, so, he constantly needs to brief Pres. Tinubu from time to time.
Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity constantly goes in and out to see his boss. Though, he knows Mr. President’s thinking on major issues, there is always the need to touch base with his boss.
Hon. James Faleke also has unfettered access to his political godfather. Both are close, very close. He is a Tinubu loyalist.
He, it was who bought the APC form for the President to fill for his 2nd terms.
We almost forgot to tell you about the Inspector General of Police, Disu.
He has access to the President from time to time. He constantly briefs the President on the situation of things in the country.
We also can’t leave out, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. He is a close ally of the President. He is also a strategist who constant brainstorms with the President on political moves to make.
Engineer Dave Umahi, the Works Minister constantly sees the President to brief him on the state of work on the legacy road projects going on simultaneously across Nigeria.
Gilbert Chagoury the international businessman is yet another person.
Though, he spends more time in France, where he lives, anytime he comes in to town, he has access to the President.
They have come a long way. They both respect each other. His construction companies are handling many projects for the Tinubu administration.
Aremo Olusegun Osoba is one of the few elderstatemen who have unfettered access to Pres. Bola Tinubu.
The Presdent likes to discuss Politics with him. He also represents the President atimes at functions.
Alhaji Aliko Dangote is one big player who the President likes to see anytime he breezes in. He is unofficially the leader of the private sector in Nigeria, so Tinubu usually gets feedbacks from him on how the economy is running.
Ahaji Samad Rabiu, Chairman of BUA Group is also the President’s friend. He has direct access to him and the President holds him in high esteem.
Tony Elumelu is another private sector leader who enjoys the confidence of the President. After Pres. Tinubu won in 2023, Tony Elumelu was one of the few big players he visited to say Thank you. Elumelu then called him the last man standing.
Chief Bisi Akande, popularly called Baba Akande is one man who does not need to book an appointment to see the President, because they are close. The President respects him and holds him in high esteem. They have been close since 1999 when they were both governors. The President was the Governor of Lagos and he was in Osun as Governor.
Minister for Marine & Blue Economy, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola is very close to Pres. Tinubu. He is one of those who the President brought into Politics and he became hugely successful.
Zacheeus Adedeji, the Executiive Chairman of NRS is one man who constantly breezes in and out of Aso Rock.
He is a brilliant fellow who is one of those helping Pres. Tinubu actualise his economic agenda.
The Ooni of Ife is one of the few traditional rulers who can see Pres. Tinubu, whenever he wants. He has been of help to the administration. since it came in.
He is close to the 1st Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu who he honoured in Ife, months back.
Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu is another prominent Nigerian who has access to Pres. Tinubu. He is the Governor of Pres. Tinubu’s state. He is free to call the President directly and he visits Aso Rock without any protocol.
Tax expert, Taiwo Oyedele, the new Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy is very close to President Tinubu. He is an Accountant just like the President. His mandate is to make sure that the ongoing reforms are on course. The President sees him almost on a daily basis. He also needs to constantly clear a lot of decisions with the President.
Another powerful man in government who does not need an appointment to see the President is the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume. He has been the President’s friend since 1999 when they were both governors. He was former Governor of Benue State (1999-2007) and a 3 term Senator (2007-2019).
As the Chief Operating Officer of the Federal Government, he works directly under the President. He has 5 main jobs: (1) Cabinet Coordination: Convenes and manages Federal Executive Council Meetings (2) Policy Implemention: Ensures ministries deliver on Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda (3) Liaison: He is the link between the President, Minister, Governors, National Assembly and other arms of government (4) In charge of Appointments and Handover. He signs memos on appointments and directs handover (5) He represents the President. He speaks for Pres. Bola Tinubu at events. He represents Tinubu at ambassadors induction and other important events.
The nature of his job ensures that he walks in and out of Aso Rock.
He is the man who makes sure that the government machinery runs. As SGF, he is one of the 3 most powerful people in Aso Rock, alongside Tinubu and Gbajabiamila.
