Gambari's Role During Abacha's Regime Makes Him Unfit To Be COS

The convener of the Coalition for Revolution (CORE), Omoyele Sowore, has expressed disappointment over the appointment of Professor Ibrahim Gambari as the new Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Gambari, a former Minister of External Affairs will replace the late Abba Kyari as Buhari’s Chief of Staff.

Abba Kyari died of coronavirus.

Reacting to the appointment in a statement on Tuesday, Sowore alleged that Gambari’s major role during General Sani Abacha’s military regime makes him unfit for the new role.

The former presidential candidate added that Gambari also served almost all the dictators that have ruled the country.

Sowore added that Gambari, who some people claim is an intelligent man, used his ‘intelligence’ to defend the draconian policies of the Abacha regime while he was Nigeria’s Permanent Representative at the United Nations.

He said, “Professor Ibrahim Gambari, who some people claim is an intelligent man, used his ‘intelligence’ to defend the draconian policies of the Abacha regime while he was Nigeria’s Permanent Representative at the United Nations.

“He was one of Abacha’s equivalents of the “goebel” representing the infamous dictator with vigor and a propensity that could only be found in fascist Italy of old.

“As more pressure mounted on the Abacha regime from all corners of the world, Professor Gambari became more notorious and ruthless in defending and deflecting attacks against the Abacha dictatorship.

“I remember his many appearances on cable news channels, especially after Abacha murdered environmentalist and author, Ken Saro-Wiwa following what can be described as a kangaroo trial. Professor Gambari stoically denied that the Abacha regime had committed a crime; he labeled Saro-Wiwa a “common criminal” who had engaged in the murder of some Ogoni elders.

“After the demise of Abacha, his other co-dictators and collaborators were put in their place: Call it the Nigerian Hall of Shame.

“Professor Ibrahim Gambari has not been touched; he has not been called to account. Unlike the Usenis, Mustapha, and Gwarzo, he did not appear before the hapless “Oputa Panel” to explain his ignominious role. Instead, he was elevated by Kofi Annan, the United Nations Secretary-General, to the position of Under-Secretary and Special Adviser on Africa at the UN.”