By Toba Owojaiye | Abuja
In a stunning revelation that has reignited debate over the shadowy inner workings of the Muhammadu Buhari presidency, former Chief of Staff Prof. Ibrahim Gambari has confirmed that key members of the so-called “cabal” routinely bypassed official protocol and smuggled memos directly to the President, undermining the very command chain of the Nigerian presidency.
Truth Live News gathered that, Gambari admitted that President Buhari’s inner circle widely referred to as the “cabal” exploited the President’s vulnerabilities to seize influence over critical state matters, despite Buhari’s own directive that all official communications be routed through the Chief of Staff.
“They knew his weak moments,” Gambari said. “Because they had informal access, they leveraged personal familiarity and proximity to influence decisions and bypass the system.”
Despite Buhari’s insistence on a formal process, Gambari disclosed that some aides and loyalists routinely slipped documents into the President’s hands without clearance, effectively diluting the power of the office of the Chief of Staff and compromising transparency.
The revelations confirm long-standing suspicions about the existence of a dual power structure in Aso Rock, one official, the other entrenched and invisible. Nigerians often speculated about a group of unelected insiders who exercised undue influence on presidential decisions. With Gambari’s testimony, the public finally has a first-hand account from within the corridors of power.
“The memos came back to me eventually,” Gambari added. “But it was clear that some individuals operated outside the official circle and were allowed to.”
Gambari emphasized that key officials like Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and several ministers strictly followed protocol. However, it was the unelected power players, the very definition of a cabal, who routinely defied institutional boundaries.
He explained that this phenomenon isn’t unique to Buhari’s government, referencing the “kitchen cabinet” of past Nigerian leaders, but added that the danger lies in when informal power eclipses formal authority.
This startling confession casts a long shadow over the Buhari administration’s legacy. It raises urgent questions: Who truly governed Nigeria between 2015 and 2023? How many policies were born of proper process, and how many were whispered into presidential ears in the dead of night?
Analysts believe this revelation could trigger calls for institutional reform to shield executive power from informal capture, ensuring that elected leaders operate within systems, not outside them.
As Buhari remains in retirement and largely silent, public opinion may begin to reassess the legacy of his leadership, not in terms of speeches or public policies, but in the hidden machinations of those who surrounded him.
The Nigerian people, long wary of unelected influence, may now demand stronger safeguards and a presidency insulated from manipulation, especially ahead of the 2027 elections.
“This confirms what we feared for years, the presence of a shadow government,” said political analyst Dr. Femi Akomolafe. “And the silence of the former President only deepens the mystery and the outrage.”
Whether history will judge Buhari harshly for allowing such infiltration or pity him for being a prisoner of trust, remains to be seen. But one truth is clear: the cabal was real, it had power, and it knew exactly where to strike.