Abba Kyari almost became Nigeria’s Vice President – Mamman Daura
Mamman Daura, a nephew to President Muhammadu Buhari, has revealed that the former Chief of Staff, late Abba Kyari could have been Vice President of Nigeria.
He recalled that he was recommended as running mate to Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999.
Kyari, the former Chief of Staff to President Buhari, died of Coronavirus complications.
Buhari had released a personal eulogy the day his friend of 42 years was buried.
In a tribute, Daura titled “Abba Kyari: A great public servant”, he recounted that when a group of sponsors including Ahmed Joda, Philip Asiodu and Isma’ila Isa Funtua floated a new newspaper, The Democrat, Kyari was nominated and unanimously accepted as its Editor.
He noted that the deceased’s previous experience in the New Nigerian and education enabled him to run the newspaper with aplomb.
Daura recounted that when Hakeem Bello-Osagie assembled a team of investors and managers to help revive the collapsing UBA, Kyari was persuaded to join the group and after weeks of diligence, they acquired UBA and Kyari joined the Bank as a Senior Executive.
“Needless to relate, he eventually became the Bank’s Chief Executive and on retirement was persuaded to remain as non-executive Vice-Chairman.