Friday, April 17, 2020, didn’t go away without leaving its mark in the sands of time. It was a breaking news day; the news of the death of President Buhari’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari at 81,in the hands of the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic. This is one event that is rightly discomfitting the powers that be at Aso Rock considering the larger than life role the late Chief of Staff played in the life of the President. His influence was such that allowed him to take up even ministerial duties as exemplified by his trip to Germany necessitating him to negotiate power deals with Siemens on behalf of the Federal government of Nigeria.

Without mincing words, Abba Kyari’s death has left a vacuum in the political space. We expect high level jostle for power in the coming days as to who will replace him. So, who’s feet is large enough to fit into what has definitely become, humongous shoes of the late Abba Kyari?

What we’ve done is to compile 5 plausible candidates who are likely favored to step in his shoe. They were selected based on a varying number of factors, antecedents, political clout and backup, affinity to the President and a whole lot of other political factors. They are as follows:

BABANGANA KINGINBE

He’s not a new face in the political firmament. Apart from being the SDP Vice-Presidential Candidate and running mate to Bashorun M.K.O Abiola in the 1993 botched Presidential election, he was thrice a Minister under Late General Sani Abacha’s stint as Head of State. He was first appointed as the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1993 to 1995, then Minister of Internal Affairs from 1995 to 1997 before he later became Minister of Power and Steel from 1997 to 1998.

Fast forward to the return of democratic rule, he was appointed by Late President Umaru Yaradua as Secretary to the Government of the Federation in June 2007 but left office in acrimonious circumstances by September 2008 after he was sacked by President Yaradua for allegedly undermining the Government.

Since the coming into office of the present Government, he has warmed his way into the top power echelon as he is reported to be part of the behind the scene decision makers in the Buhari Government. He said in one of his interviews that he would never contest against President Buhari when rumors were rife he was interested in the 2019 Presidency.

He is believed to be part of the famed cabal which has Mallam Daura, Abba Kyari as members.

It won’t hence be a surprise if he’s appointed as the new Chief of Staff to the President.