President Muhammadu Buhari today left Abuja for Germany to attend the G-7 meeting, accompanied by a 20-person delegation including former Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Abdulrahman Dambazau (ret.), his personal photographer, Bayo Omoboriowo, and his cook named 'Anne'.




SaharaReporters learned that former Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State led a small advance team to Germany to prepare for Mr. Buhari’s arrival.

The presence of both former Governors Fashola and Fayemi on the delegation raised fresh speculations about President Buhari’s possible role for both men in his administration. A source close to the president told SaharaReporters that Mr. Buhari was considering appointing Mr. Fashola as his Chief of Staff, adding that the former governor of Ekiti state was also in the running for the same position. Our source disclosed that Bola Tinubu, the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was opposed to Mr. Fashola’s appointment. Mr. Tinubu preceded Mr. Fashola as governor of Lagos State, but both men sometimes had a tense political relationship.

The exclusion of Agboola Gambari, a professor, from the list of delegates, appears to signal that he is not a serious contender for the post of Chief of Staff. A few days ago, Mr. Gambari’s name cropped up as one of the candidates for the post of Chief of Staff.

Mr. Buhari’s trip to Germany is his first trip outside of Africa since his inauguration on May 29, 2015. His 20-person delegation which reportedly include members of his advance party is a scale back from former President Goodluck Jonathan’s practice of making foreign trips with as many as 200 people.

Our source disclosed that Bola Tinubu, the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was opposed to Mr. Fashola’s appointment. Mr. Tinubu preceded Mr. Fashola as governor of Lagos State, but both men sometimes had a tense political relationship.

ANBAKO:
Awaiting the outcome of their gallivanting around....Govt is non-existence, Appoint ministers - No, Appoint aides - no, Move to Aso rock - No!!!
Baba we are watching oooo. I hope and believe you know what you are doing. All in all...It is still better than 200 delegates with zero outcome ...year in, year out.

DickDastardly:
While Bokoharam keeps bombing everywhere? How did we get to this stage? Nigeria is finished.
Allah be merciful!
Subanallah

doctokwus:
Serious summit for serious minded persons.
Taking a look at d delegation tells a lot of what PMB is going there to achieve:
-Danbazzau and Shettima tells one they are soliciting for help to fight BH with first hand info coming from the gov at d centre of d fight and d likely NSA that would outline how the PMB intends to tackle it.
-Fashola and Fayemi tells one that other strategic policy initiatives in other sectors would also be tabled and "a wish list" of the kinds of cooperation Nigeria needs.
PMB may even surpass our expectations.This is a president that really wants to turn things around.

zenith4biz:
Fashola, chief of staff?

ECOTERRORS:
how can you invite investors in an environment where there is insecurity, economic crises, companies closing shop and also a government without portfolio

Jorussia:
Appoint ministers to be screened by the 8th senate that has been inaugurated inside your parlour abi?My guy just reasonable a beg?

Jorussia:
Appoint ministers to be screened by the 8th senate that has been inaugurated inside your parlour abi?My guy just reasonable a beg?

doctokwus:
Serious summit for serious minded persons.
Taking a look at d delegation tells a lot of what PMB is going there to achieve:
-Danbazzau and Shettima tells one they are soliciting for help to fight BH with first hand info coming from the gov at d centre of d fight and d likely NSA that would outline how the PMB intends to tackle it.
-Fashola and Fayemi tells one that other strategic policy initiatives in other sectors would also be tabled and "a wish list" of the kinds of cooperation Nigeria needs.
PMB may even surpass our expectations.This is a president that really wants to turn things around.

doctokwus:

Please I don't understand your line of thought.Be more succinct.

ECOTERRORS:
draw up a list first but nothing from that angle, what about his SGF and Chief of Staff, does he need the NA to approve that also.

This man is dull and brainless

DickDastardly:
While Bokoharam keeps bombing everywhere? How did we get to this stage? Nigeria is finished.
Allah be merciful!
Subanallah

Shortyy:

shuttup

DickDastardly:

DickDastardly:

ANBAKO:


Na wa for you oo... No vex...But they have to appoint ministers before they are screened. Appoint ministers now and let the Senate screen them next week after their inauguration. It is call "proactiveness"!!! Abi na lie? What about the aides? Are they supposed to be screened too by the 8th Senate? I think you need to be reasonable too......Thanks

ECOTERRORS:
draw up a list first but nothing from that angle, what about his SGF and Chief of Staff, does he need the NA to approve that also.

This man is dull and brainless