Abba Kyari, the Chief of Staff to the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari has died of complications from the COVID-19 at a Lagos hospital.
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Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, confirmed the news in a tweet, saying:
Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari, passes on. May God rest his soul. Amen. Funeral arrangements to be announced soon.”
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, also confirmed the death via his Twitter handle.
He said:
Presidency regrets to announce the passage of the Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari. The deceased had tested positive to the ravaging COVID-19, and had been receiving treatment. But he died on Friday, April 17, 2020. May God accept his soul. Funeral arrangements will be announced shortly.
Last month, Kyari tested positive for COVID-19, following a trip to Germany, while it was also gathered that he had underlying medical conditions, even though he rejected these claims.
While in office, Kyari was an influential figure within the Buhari administration as he worked closely with the President to implement the government’s policies.
He was equally instrumental during the President’s second term until the news of his death broke out yesterday.
As tributes poured in on social media, the Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo took to his Twitter page to recount his last moments with the deceased.
He wrote:
When I chatted with him exactly on Tuesday, March 24, 2020, he assured me his health was fine and that he would faithfully take the treatments. But God always knows best. Sincere condolences to the Kyari family and the Government of Nigeria. Adieu Mallam Abba Kyari.”
On his part, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, also expressed sadness at the death of the Chief of Staff.
He wrote:
May the Almighty Allah forgive and be Merciful to Malam Abba Kyari (Chief of Staff to the President). May He (SWT) bless us with a good end.”
