Look Elsewhere For Chief of Staff, Isa Funtua Tells President Buhari

Alhaji Isa Funtua

The multimillionaire businessman, Alhaji Ismaila Isa Funtua has hit hard on the people who allegedly, shortlisted him among those likely to succeed late Mallam Abba Kyari, stating that the move was belittling.

The businessman told BBC Hausa in an interview which was also covered by other journalists on Tuesday that even President Muhammadu Buhari himself would not dare ask him to be his Chief of Staff.

Alhaji Funtua said, "Its ridiculing for some people to mention my name as a possible replacement for Abba Kyari".

"The story is belittling. Now I employ people, not for someone to employ me".

"I had worked with government in the 80s, worked with Native Authority (NA). I was a minister of the Federal Republic in 1983".

"Therefore, for someone to shortlist me for that position is ridiculing especially for a man who served as a minister about 40 years ago and out of government".

"I should be employing people now not trying to struggle for government appointment. At my level and age people should first see if am fit to serve and see if am strong enough and if am up to date with current realities of governance".

"At this level, appointment like that should be for our children the younger generation. Not for my type, even if they approach the president with my name, he knows he cannot ask me to serve at this age. For Allah's sake, you mean at my age I should be waking up at 8am to go to work"?

"I have surpassed that level in life, its for people like you and other younger persons. We should stop ridiculing public offices simply because of getting appointments, Alhaji Isa Funtua stated.