Two groups of pro-and anti-Abba Kyari protesters, Wednesday, protested on the streets of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to show solidarity for Abba Kyari, who is the Chief-of-Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, and also call for his immediate sack.
The protesters conducted themeselves peacefully, as security operatives kept watch over both groups.
The anti-Kyari protesters, under the aegis of “Coalition for Good Governance and Change Initiative”, was led by some of its conveners, Maina Yaumi and Ruby Nyananyo while the pro-Kyari group, under the umbrella of Due Process group, was led by Hon. Hussaini Monguno,
Speaking for the anti-Kyari group, Nyananyo said they were on the streets of Abuja to ask President Buhari to sack Kyari for he alleged is derailing the presidency, masterminding corrupt practices at the topmost hierarchy of government, denying Ministers of the Federal Republic access to President Buhari, and putting clogs in the wheel of the administration’s march towards progress.
The Monguno group on its part, said they staged a counter-protest to defend Kyari who, according to him, deserves the support of all Nigerians as he continues his good works of directing affairs at the Presidency for the success of the Buhari government.
Monguno further quoted an African proverb which reads: “if the hyena wants to eat its young ones, it says they all smell like goats,” to support his argument.
Due Process Group claimed that the anti-Kyari protests were sponsored by disgruntled elements within the All Progressives Congress (APC), who have resolved to sow seeds of discord within the Party by tarnish the images of perceived pillars of the APC before defecting to the opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of 2019.
He labelled those against Kyari as enemies of progress, the APC, and Nigeria at large.
“We know those behind the anti-Kyari protests. We are protesting their demand for his immediate sack.
“Kyari is close to 70yrs, and has a track record of honesty and integrity behind him. If anyone has any grievance against him which is backed by tangible evidence, they should write to the President and also make same public through proper channels rather than storming the streets with banners and placards to create the false impression that an innocent man is derailing the government and causing cracks within the Presidency,” Monguno said.
The pro-Kyari protesters who were mostly youths carried placards bearing several inscriptions, and chanting solidarity songs that conveyed their loyalty and support for the President’s Chief-of-Staff.
Some of the placards read: ‘’Thank you PMB and Kyari for making the system work”, “No cause for alarm in the Presidency”, “Kyari, we are behind you’’, “We believe in President Muhammadu Buhari and Abba Kyari” among others.
