A flood tide of reactions has been trailing the death of Abba Kyari, Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari who succumbed to the COVID-19 disease, Friday.
The presidency confirmed Kyari’s death in a statement issued by the President’s spokesman, Femi Adesina.
“The Presidency regrets to announce the passage of the Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari.”
“The deceased had tested positive to the ravaging COVID-19, and had been receiving treatment. But he died on Friday, April 17, 2020. May God accept his soul. Funeral arrangements will be announced shortly,” he noted in the statement.
Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari, passes on. May God rest his soul. Amen. Funeral arrangements to be announced soon.
— Femi Adesina (@FemAdesina) April 17, 2020
The New Diplomat broke the news in March that Kyari had tested positive for the virus while his principal, Buhari was said to be negative.
Kyari’s COVID-19 status was not immediately disclosed sparking controversy, with many demanding to know his whereabouts. The presidency later released a statement confirming his positive status.
However, before testing positive for the contagion, Kyari, given his top position had met and mingled with President Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, many governors, ministers and other top government functionaries, something which raised serious concerns in government circle as all his contacts including the President quickly self-isolated.
Kyari, who returned to Nigeria from Germany on March 14, had participated in several state functions and unofficial engagements that attracted prominent personalities and it was believed Kyari must have contracted the virus while on that official trip.
The late Chief of staff was reported to have had underlying health problems, including diabetes and that may have complicated his battle with the disease.
Kyari, a Kanuri from Borno would later break the silence on his whereabouts in a letter where he told Nigerians that he had been transferred to Lagos to continue with his treatment.
He was flown to Lagos in an Air ambulance to continue his treatment after testing positive for coronavirus.
His letter read in parts: “I am writing to let you know that on medical advice, I will transfer to Lagos later today for additional tests and observation.
“This is a precautionary measure: I feel well, but last week, I tested positive for coronavirus, the pandemic that is sweeping the world. I have followed all the protocols government has announced to self-isolate and quarantine.”
Kyari’s death has continued to elicit reactions from Nigerians since the news broke early Saturday morning.
Below is how Nigerians including some eminent citizens had so far reacted:
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un. I am saddened by the death of Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari. May Allah SWT comfort his family, forgive his sins and grant him AlJannah Firdaus. Ameen.
— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) April 18, 2020
May the Almighty Allah forgive and be Merciful to Malam Abba Kyari (Chief of Staff to the President). May He (SWT) bless us with a good end,…
— Isa Ali Pantami, PhD (@DrIsaPantami) April 18, 2020
When I chatted with him exactly on Tuesday, March 24, 2020, he assured me his health was fine and that he would faithfully take the treatments. But God always knows best. Sincere condolences to the Kyari family and the Government of Nigeria. Adieu Mallam Abba Kyari. https://t.co/EZ3BX2qibd
— Festus Keyamo, SAN (@fkeyamo) April 18, 2020
So sad to see Nigerians celebrating Abba Kyari’s death? He died at 80. I pray many of us live that long. This is a lesson to Buhari. May nothing bad happen to him because Nigerians will celebrate like we won the World Cup. The reason is because he has failed so woefully.
— Comrade Deji Adeyanju (@adeyanjudeji) April 18, 2020
May the soul of Abba Kyari the chief of staff to Mr President rest in peace. May God grant his family the fortitude to bear the loss. Everyone must complete this circle someday. Be prepared.
— Senator Dino Melaye. (SDM) (@dino_melaye) April 18, 2020
When my mum died earlier this year, the second person to come to the house same day to condole me (after @Olusegunverdict) was Mallam Abba Kyari. Deeply human. Deeply cerebral. Deeply loyal to his principal and his country, not the caricature widely sold. May God grant him rest. pic.twitter.com/k2xfAV1cE9
— Waziri Adio (@Waziriadio) April 18, 2020
Abba Kyari's Death, End of a Surrogate Presidency, and the Coming Chaos-THREAD
To say I was shocked by Abba Kyari's death would be to tell a lie. Being an asthmatic patient who routinely had "breathing problems" that necessitated periodic trips to London hospitals—in addition to— Farooq Kperogi, Ph.D (@farooqkperogi) April 18, 2020
Former Aviation Minister, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, phones in to condole with Presidency on passage of Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari. A great lesson for those who rejoice in evil. Fani-Kayode is morbidly anti-Buhari, but human enough to express his condolence.
— Femi Adesina (@FemAdesina) April 18, 2020
You Nigerians to show sympathy for Abba Kyari by force.
You people didn’t show sympathy for the 17 people that died from Coronavirus.
You people didn’t put this same energy when we lost innocent souls to bokoharamBut you want to force us to show sympathy for Money Heist cast?
— Tife🌚 (@Tife_fabunmi) April 18, 2020
