Coronavirus: Kyari is Still Buhari’s CoS, Not Ajimobi – Presidency

The Presidency has denied reports circulating in the social media that former Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi has replaced President Muhammadu Buhari’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari.

The report which was circulated via WhatApp stated that Buhari had sacked Kyari due to his health condition.

Recall that last week Monday, Kyari tested positive for the deadly coronavirus a few days after returning from a trip to Germany.

The circulated WhatsApp message further said that the statement on Kyari’s sack was released by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, on Monday, March 31, 2020, in Abuja.

The message read in part: “The termination of the appointment of Abba Kyari took immediate effect. And the President has appointed Ajimobi as New COS. The President ordered Abba Kyari to step down as Chief of Staff due to his health challenge.’’

However, the Presidency, through the President’s aide on new media matters, Bashir Ahmad, described the news as “another fake news.”

Ahmad tweeted, ”Yet another fake news started trending on some WhatsApp groups that ‘President @MBuhari sacked Mallam Abba Kyari and replaced him with former Gov. Abiola Ajimobi’, disregard and dishonour it, entirely untrue!’’

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government has debunked claims that they know the whereabouts of Kyari after news filtered that he has been flown to the state capital.

Reacting to the reports, Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, has said it does not know the whereabouts of Kyari.

He said: “I’m not aware of the Chief of Staff’s itinerary, so I don’t know where he is, we chat on WhatsApp but I cannot tell where he is from our chat.

“We’re exchanging information, but I haven’t asked him for his location.

“He seems well and happy and we’re exchanging information on strategic issues.

“It has been a long time we talked about his health. I presume he has made a full recovery.