The announcement of the death of the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, has elicited reactions from within and outside the country since the news broke from the presidency last night.
A statement by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari read in part, “The deceased had tested positive to the ravaging COVID-19, and been receiving treatment. But he died on Friday, April 17, 2020”
Since the announcement, the traditional, social and other media have been washed with reactions on the death of the strong man.
Among the early people who reacted to the death of the former Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, was the former Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate, Ike Ekweremadu.
Ekweremadu who took to his Twitter handle, @iamekweremadu, expressed deep sadness and heartfelt condolences to Kyari’s immediate family, President Muhammadu Buhari, and the entire Presidency, and also prayed God to grant the soul of the deceased eternal repose.
“I am deeply saddened by the news of the passing on of the Chief of staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Mallam Abba Kyari. It is a heavy loss to the Presidency and the nation, which he gave his all. May his soul rest in peace, Amen”, he said.
In his reaction the Oni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Onitan in a statement said the late Chief of staff to the President was “a cool headed personality and respecter of traditional institutions”.
Hadiza Bala Usman in her Twitter condolences said “Innallilahi Was Inna lliyhi Rajiun.. Indeed we belong to Allah and to Him we shall Return.. May Allah Grant Mallam Abba Aljannah.#RIPAbbaKyari”.
The former Aviation Minister, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, phoned in to condole with the Presidency on the passage of the Chief of staff, Abba Kyari. “A great lesson for those who rejoice in evil”.
Acknowledging the phone call, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, took to his Twitter handle, “@Femi… Fani Kayode is morbidly anti-Buhari, but human enough to express his condolence”, he said.
The governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, in his Tweet said, “It is with great sadness that I, my family, the government and people of Delta State commiserate with President Buhari, the Kyari family and the entire Presidency on the passing away of former Chief of staff, Mallam Abba Kyari”.
In his own reaction, the Group Managing Director, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Mele Kyari, wrote in his Twitter handle, “@MKKyari, May Allah forgive Mallam Abba Kyari and have mercy upon him. Was a truly good man, profoundly faithful and loyal to our country”.
No doubt, the death of the former Chief of staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Mallam Abba Kyari was received with mixed feelings.
Some residents of Abuja who were out in the streets for the usual weekend exercise and others who want to take advantage of the window for purchase of essential commodities, spoke in low tones about the announcement of the death of the strong man of the Buhari administration.
“Well, such is life. Who will believe that the powerful Chief of staff will die of Coronavirus. Why didn’t they fly him abroad. If not for COVID-19, he would have been flown abroad for treatment. Now our health institutions are left in very deplorable state. Now, the rich also cry”, Amos obebe said maintaining the social distancing while jogging and discussing the news with his friend, Jonah Aandoaka.
“He was the person holding the nation to ransom. He was ruling the country on behalf of the President. Remember when the President’s wife complained that the government was hijacked by a cabal, she was shouted down. He was ill advising President Muhammadu Buhari”, he retorted, keeping his own distance.
The Aso Rock Presidential Villa was unusually quiet. Some of the journalists covering the State House who wanted to obtain further information from the Presidency at the State House were quietly turned back by stern looking security operation.
