Ibrahim Gambari, who served as Chief of Staff to the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, has confirmed the existence of a “cabal” during Buhari’s time in office, clarifying that such inner circles are a standard feature of every presidency.
In a preview of an upcoming interview with Laolu Akande, former spokesperson to ex-Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Gambari addressed the longstanding public debate around the influence of unelected figures in presidential decision-making.
“There was a cabal — yes,” Gambari admitted. “But every government has a cabal. That’s just what they’re called.”
He elaborated further: “Some refer to it as a ‘kitchen cabinet’, others call it a ‘think tank’. During Obasanjo’s tenure, he had his group—people like the Aboyades and others.”
Gambari refers to every president
According to Gambari, it is natural for any president to have a close circle of trusted advisers — both inside and outside official structures — with whom they can speak candidly and seek counsel.
“It’s the nature of the office. A president needs a small group of confidants they can open up to, whether or not they hold official positions. Some of these people may end up wielding more power than others, but make no mistake, every presidency has its version of a cabal,” he said.
The term “cabal” has been frequently used in Nigerian political discourse to refer to shadowy groups who operate behind the scenes, often influencing key policies, appointments, and decisions outside the purview of public accountability.
In 2018, Aisha Buhari, the former first lady, publicly raised concerns about a handful of individuals she claimed were exercising disproportionate control over her husband’s administration. Her remarks sparked widespread debate, but President Buhari downplayed her worries at the time.
More recently, Solomon Dalung, who served as Minister of Youth and Sports under Buhari, claimed that the group surrounding President Bola Tinubu is even more formidable.
According to Dalung, Tinubu’s inner circle is “more dangerous, more ambitious, and more sophisticated” than Buhari’s. He argued that while Buhari’s advisers may have lacked political and administrative experience, those around Tinubu are far more educated and better versed in wielding influence.
“The cabal under Tinubu is the most dangerous this country has seen,” Dalung warned.
