It is official! Barring any unforeseen circumstances President John Dramani Mahama will announce the appointment of veteran politician, Alhaji Huudu Yahaya to replace Henry Martey Newman as Chief of Staff.

Grapevine source at the presidency whispered that the intended move is to further strengthen the campaign team and intensify the linkage between government and the party, as the 2012 election approaches.

“Though the president recognizes the outstanding contribution of Mr. Martey Newman since his appointment three years ago, but he sincerely sees the experience acquired by Alhaji Huudu Yahaya as an astute politician over the years, crucial to help him sustain power in December”, the source revealed.

An official statement is expected to be released in due course, the source further hinted.

It would be recalled that speculations heightened that Mr. Martey Newman had relinquished his position as the Chief of Staff few days after the passing on of former President John Evans Atta Mills.

But the report was swiftly dismissed by the presidency, insisting that the man who is widely considered as the protégé of the late president would still carry on with his job.

Alhaji Huudu Yahaya served in various positions during the era of the erstwhile Rawlings administration and considered as one of the finest politicians around at the time.

But he suddenly slipped into political hibernation after the NDC lost power in 2000.