Government activities are reportedly sliding into coma at Nigeria’s Aso Rock seat of power as the Chief of Staff to President Buhari, Abba Kyari, battles an undisclosed illness, according to a report.

The report, last night by the online paper SIGNAL said that “Abba Kyari’s illness, which is said to be of an undisclosed nature, has slowed down the efficiency of the office of Chief of Staff to the President, which is the brain box of the President’s office.”

“The man has been seriously sick but has been struggling and managing to carry out his duties. Most of the times, files that should be passed on to the President immediately are left untreated for weeks. The condition of the President’s office is in a pretty bad shape. The office is lying in a state of coma,” the paper quoted a source who did not want to be named as saying.

The office of the Chief of Staff to the President is considered the most crucial at the State House after that of the President. The responsibilities of the chief of Staff are both managerial and advisory and can include, selecting key State House staff and supervising them; structuring the State House staff system; controlling the flow of people into the President’s office at Aso Rock villa; determining who gets to see the President and when; managing the flow of information into the President’s office and advising the President on various issues amongst several others responsibilities assigned at the discretion of the President.

Abba Kyari who was appointed Chief of Staff to the President in August 2015 is said to be clinging on to the office despite advice from close friends and associates to resign to seek proper medication for his health.

Asked why President Buhari was yet to relieve Kyari of his responsibility as Chief of Staff, our source disclosed that President Buhari is not disposed to sacking Kyari because of his deep sense loyalty to the President. “The President knows his condition but won’t sack him. He was chosen largely for his loyalty and not for his ability to man that office. Buhari doesn’t joke with loyalty. It is his first consideration for any appointment,” SIGNAL quoted the source as saying.

The paper said it made attempts to contact presidential spokespersons, Garba Shehu and Femi Adesina, for comments but that both men were not taking their calls.

Abba Kyari studied Sociology at the University of Warwick, England and graduated in 1980. He also possesses a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Law from the University of Cambridge, England and was called to the Nigerian Bar after attending the Nigerian Law School in 1983.

•Photo shows Abba Kyari.

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