•As Many Of His Loyalists Eye The Job
Top political players who are friends of the newly Nigeria President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in the last few days have been lobbying for the position of Chief of Staff. Many of these politicians are very close allies of the president-elect.
This office of Chief of Staff is a big one and it’s one of the most powerful seats in Nigeria.
Who is a Chief of Staff and why the office is so powerful in the Nigerian political setting? The occupier of such a position has a crucial role in ensuring the success or otherwise of his principal who has entrusted the role to him during a particular tenure in office.
Famous as the position of a Chief of Staff (CoS) may appear, it is complex and unpredictable. Complex in the sense that it neither comes with a job description nor is there a qualification that gets one there. One of the highly notable politicians a few days ago told CityPeople in a chat, the importance of this office (Chief of Staff).
According to him: “People don’t actually know how things work in our political setting here in Nigeria. Those who are lobbying for this office know how big the office is. This is an office that can influence the decision of a sitting president. The office that can influence a certain decision that will have an impact on every Nigerian”.
He went further to explain what happened in the past between Vice President and the late CofS, Abba Kyari.
“Do you remember what happened between the late Abba Kyari and the present Vice President of Nigeria? On November 5, 2015, President Buhari declared all Communication and appointments to be routed through the office of the Chief of Staff (COS), (when he was away on a medical trip), as a normal procedure in the presidency. This declaration had however made the Chief of Staff powerful more than Vice President, at that particular time. And when VP sacked the Director General, of the State Security Service, Lawal Musa Daura, he was restated because the late Abba Kyari influenced the President. Let’s unveil some big names who are seriously lobbying for the Chief of Staff role under the new dispensation of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Hon. ABIODUN FALEKE
Presently, Hon. Abiodun Faleke is a politician and a member of Nigeria’s House of Representatives from Lagos. He’s one of the most trusted allies rumoured to be vying for the Chief of Staff under Tinubu’s government. Don’t forget, he’s one of the top members of the House of Representatives.
Faleke joined active politics in 2003 after Ahmed Bola Tinubu, then governor of Lagos state appointed him as the first Executive Secretary of the newly created Ojodu Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State. In 2011, Faleke won a vote to represent the Ikeja Federal Constituency of Lagos state in Nigeria’s Federal House of Representatives.
SAN BABATUNDE FASHOLA
Babatunde Fashola is also rumored to be in the race for the powerful seat. He was the Chief of Staff to the president-elect when he was governor of Lagos State. He had a good working understanding with him. The current minister of Works and Housing is one of the most qualified candidates being tipped for the job.
ADAMS OSHIOMHOLE
The former Edo State governor and former National Chairman of All Progresive Party, APC is also in the race. Although he has just been elected to the senate but he sees the office of the office of Chief of Staff as more appealing. According to source, although Adams Oshiomhole can’t get the senate president because it was his first time in the senate. He would like the post of CofS if he can not get a substantive post at the senate like Majority leader.
NASIR EL-RUFAI
El-Rufai is another name that comes to mind. He’s being touted to be one of the candidates eyeing the post of CofS. El-Rufai is one of the most influential politicians who fought for Tinubu’s victory. Don’t forget that, he will be leaving the office (Governor of Kanduna) in the coming months. El-Rufia is a Nigerian politician who has served as governor of Kaduna State since 2015. He was minister of the Federal Capital Territory from 2003 to 2007; and the director of the Bureau of Public Enterprises. He is a founding member of the ruling All Progressives Congress.
HON FEMI GBAJABIAMILA
Although Hon Gbajabiamila has debunked the news that he’s running for the job of CofS under the incoming government, but you can’t take away his closeness with the president. The President-elect holds him in high esteem and he talks highly of him. Political analysts say choosing CofS by the president entails alot.
The person who will fill the post must be a very trusted ally and must understand the terrain of power at the high level that Gbajabiamila falls into.
KAYODE FAYEMI
He is another name that is trending on some social media pages in the last few days for the job of CofS to the President-elect. Though, a lot of analysts say he falls behind in the pecking order but who knows? Hon Fayemi is a Nigerian politician who served as governor of Ekiti State from 2018 to 2022. He previously served in office between 2010 and 2014 before losing re-election to Ayodele Fayose. He was also the Minister of Solid Minerals Development in President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet from 11 November 2015 to 30 May 2018, when he resigned to contest for a second term as Governor of Ekiti State.
DELE ALAKE
This man is one of Tinubu’s confidants. He is a close friend of the President-elect. And that did not start yesterday. They have been together for many decades. If the President-elect has some names for the post, his name will definitely be part of it.
Dele Alake is a Nigerian journalist, activist, and technocrat. He is a former commissioner for Information and Strategy in Lagos State between 1999–2007 under the then Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. He got involved in active politics in Nigeria as the communication advisor and confidant of Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola.
WALE EDUN
Another name that is being mentioned is Wale Edun, who is also a friend of the President-elect. They have both been together for a while. They understand themselves.
Olawale (Wale) Edun has a background in economics, public finance, international finance, merchant banking, and corporate finance at both national and international levels. Wale Edun was the Honourable Commissioner for Finance in Lagos State, an appointment he held for an unparalleled two terms (1999-2007).
BAYO ONANUGA
Also mentioned is the media erudite, Mr. Bayo Onanuga. He has been with the president-elect for decades. It’s also been rumoured that he would like the office of Chief of Staff. Also in the list are Senator Ganiyu Solomon, Tunde Rahman and many others.
Why the job of CofS is an important one: The COS is involved in a lot of meetings so he can be aware of all the important happenings within the organization. His participation in meetings means generating a consensus, enforcing and modifying strategies and processes, and ensuring strategic buy-in from all parties. The Chief-of Staff is also hugely involved with the communications materials and disseminating them. He informs on, initiates, and leads special projects, guides and supports the development of employees, and takes the time to counsel and advise other leaders. This position is analytical in that the CoS is in charge of gathering data on the progress and results of projects, courses, and training. He also hires trains and mentors staff at various levels throughout the company. A CoS acts as an executive coach, engages in performance coaching, develops process reviews, documents findings, and shares them with other leaders. Needless to say, the CoS has a lot of varying responsibilities.
In terms of access to power, a Chief of Staff is presumed to be the first to see the principal and the last to bid him goodnight. Whatever he says about his boss is taken for the gospel truth and assurances given on behalf of his principal cure all worries.
The Chief of Staff to the President of Nigeria is a high-ranking official who manages the Office of the President. The position was created by President Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999, modeled after the White House Chief of Staff its duties are assigned by the President but primarily focused on managing the flow of information and people; advising the president on various issues, through these roles the position wields considerable influence.
– ISAAC ABIMBADE
(08155107955)
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