Governors of the 36 states have been unanimous in hailing the late Mallam Abba Kyari, the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, noting that he served “with the passion and integrity of a patriot.”
Speaking under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), the governors regretted Kyari’s death and commiserated with President Buhari and the deceased’s family.
The governors spoke in a letter written on their behalf by the NGF’s Chairman, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State.
The letter was made available by NGF’s spokesman, Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo.
It reads: “The Nigeria Governors‘ Forum (NGF) received with shock the news of the death of your Chief of Staff, Mallam Abba Kyari.
“On behalf of all the 36 State Governors under the platform of the NGF, I write to offer our deepest condolences.
“The late Abba Kyari steered the activities of your office with the passion and integrity of a patriot who wished nothing but progress for his country and demanded nothing but decorum, care and respect for those who sought your attention as the President.
“With wisdom and foresight, he forged strong ties between the President and the Ministers, and strengthened the bond between our forum and your administration.
“He did not allow public perception to affect his loyalty to you and remained a pillar of your administration to his last breadth.
“May Allah (SWT) grant you and our country the fortitude to bear this great loss.
“As we condole our President and country in this trying moment, the NGF avails this opportunity to renew to you the assurance of our highest consideration.”