PHOTO: Abba Kyari, Monguno shake hands after ‘strained’ relationship

Abba Kyari, chief of staff to the president, and Babagana Monguno, national security adviser (NSA), finally saw “face to face” at the presidential villa as President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated the board of the National Assembly Service Commission in Abuja on Wednesday.

Monguno has been in the news over an alleged disagreement with Kyari, and his absence from a meeting between Buhari and the service chiefs on Monday sent tongues wagging.

The two men, who are both from Borno state, shook hands briefly and exchanged pleasantries.

Monguno’s memos accusing Kyari of meddling in security issues and overriding presidential approvals have dominated the news in recent weeks.

Ahmad Lawan, senate president, was also at the event.

However, at the weekly FEC meeting, which was held later at the Council Chambers, Monguno sat away from Kyari.

Mungono, on entering the chambers, first sat two seats away from Kyari.

He later moved closer to Kyari, after the chief of staff beckoned on him to take his normal seat — leaving only one seat in between them.

The seat in-between is for the Folasade Yemi-Esan, the acting head of service.

Monguno was absent at last week’s FEC but was on Monday appointed co-chair of the National Humanitarian Coordination Committee (NHCC).