Not Everybody Loved Abba Kyari by Ugo Egbujo.

I have read more about Kyari in a day than I did all his life.

Everyone who knew him has come out to say he was a good man.

He visited them. He bought them books. He discussed governance with them. He was patriotic. He was an intellectual. His interest was government policy and infrastructure.

He was Onyeama's best man and paddy paddy.

So why didnt they defend him when he was alive?

If the reputation of a friend I know deeply comes under attack , I will remove my dress and defend him.

So why didn't Simon Kolawole defend him vociferously.

There were times he needed defense.

Take the issue of Abdulrasheed Maina. Nothing stained the chief of staff more than that. Maina was wanted by the EFCC. The DG DSS at the time  smuggled Maina back into this country and somehow Maina was returned to his post in federal civil service.

Abomination.

It was so messy that when the scandal broke the president sacked Maina. A query was issued the then HOS. In an advertised altercation with ABBA kyari in the executive chambers, the lady literally poured scorn on Abba Kyari and left a public impression that Abba was a  ruthless chameleon

The NASS held an investigation the Attorney General went there , and fumbled and wobbled. The federal civil service commission washed off its hands blamed it on the Attorney General and orders from above.

The public blamed it on the cabal. The cabal they believed Abba kyari led. After that altercation,  what seemed a vindictive  searchlight  was thrown on the HOS. She  was later asked to resign for other misdemeanors. That completed the portrait of stupidity ,  crookedness and pettiness.

All through that ugly choreography , no one of substance came out to say-  I have spoken to Abba Kyari , he is my friend, the story on the streets is not correct.

Andulrasheed Maina is being prosecuted today. From the evidence already tendered in court by the EFCC,  only a bunch of pirates could have allowed him back into the civil service. But all the public knew was that the cabal did it. And that Abba was the Capone.

If a man chooses to be taciturn why wont his garrulous friends speak of his goodness and paint the true portrait while he is still alive?

Why would they allow ugly  rumors overrun him like weeds on  an abandoned garden.

This is just one story.  There are many others.

The EFCC and The DSS once nearly  engaged themselves on the streets of Maitama. The stand off lasted hours. Both agencies are departments  in the presidency. The presidency is run by the chief of staff. The story the street heard was that the COS was using the DSS to shield people and intimidate the EFCC. The EFCC has wanted to arrest a former DG of the DSS. That was the story everywhere. The DSS was called the villain. We didn't know the exact truth. But we believed the rumor because right before our eyes we had seen  the DSS defy the president's letter nominating Magu for confirmation as EFCC chairman.

The DSS defied the president twice.

Insiders blamed it on the COS.

No one spoke up for the Abba Kyari.

If I knew him well I would have removed my shoes, climbed a tree like Dino Melaye and defended him. I know eulogies will be sung. And eulogies will be eulogies. But

If Onyeama had written an op-ed  and talked about how they played and their plans for Nigeria ; he would have helped demystify  the Cabal a little and correct some  misconceptions.