Buhari’s Presidency Had a Cabal That Bypassed Directives, Says Former Chief of Staff Gambari

Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, former Chief of Staff to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has confirmed the existence of a powerful cabal in Aso Rock that undermined official directives during Buhari’s tenure. Speaking on Channels TV’s Inside Sources, the seasoned diplomat and scholar provided a rare glimpse into the inner workings of Buhari’s government, shedding light on the influence of a so-called “cabal” and the institutional vulnerabilities that allowed critical decisions to be bypassed.

‎Gambari, who served as Chief of Staff from 2020 to 2023, described the presence of a cabal as a common feature across Nigerian administrations.

“There was a cabal in Aso Rock during Buhari’s administration, just like in every other administration,” he stated. “Some call it a kitchen cabinet, others a think tank. Obasanjo had one, and it’s the nature of the presidency.” He explained that every president relies on a trusted circle of advisors, both within and outside government, but the influence of Buhari’s cabal was notably distinct.

‎Gambari revealed that despite Buhari’s clear directive that all memos pass through the Chief of Staff’s office—a rule even Vice President Yemi Osinbajo adhered to—certain individuals found ways to circumvent the process.

“Some people knew the weak points, who to use, and the president didn’t stop them,” he disclosed, hinting at systemic flaws in Aso Rock’s decision-making structure. While Gambari refrained from naming individuals, his comments align with long-standing allegations that a small clique, including powerful aides and possibly extended family members, operated a parallel government during Buhari’s presidency.

Some people knew the weak points, who to use, and the president didn’t stop them

‎Speculation about a cabal peaked in the latter years of Buhari’s administration (2015–2023), with ministers, governors, and lawmakers frequently complaining about restricted access to the president. Political analysts have often pointed to figures close to Buhari as orchestrating controversial decisions, contributing to perceptions of opacity in governance.

‎Despite the cabal’s influence, Gambari maintained that Buhari remained in charge, albeit selectively. “When some memos came back to me, and we discussed certain decisions, he would immediately change some. But for others, he’d say, ‘Prof., let this go—just to protect me,’” Gambari recounted. This selective intervention suggests Buhari was aware of the cabal’s actions but allowed certain decisions to proceed unchallenged, possibly to shield himself from political fallout.

‎Every leader needs a trusted circle; the issue is when they overstep, and Buhari let them.

‎Gambari’s revelations have sparked widespread discussion on X, where users are dissecting the implications of a cabal in Buhari’s government. One user remarked, “This confirms what we suspected—Buhari’s presidency was run by unelected hands, sidelining even his own team.” Others defended the existence of informal advisors, with a post stating, “Every leader needs a trusted circle; the issue is when they overstep, and Buhari let them.”