The UK media seems to be worried about Buhari’s
Anti-Corruption Crusade credibility. The UK Daily Mail in an article titled, “Is Nigerian
leader’s pal ‘fantastically corrupt’? Friend of African president accused of
stealing £500 Million”
questioned Buhari’s relation with a man accused of stealing over £500 Million.
Recall back in Nigeria Rotimi Amaechi was accused of
single highhandedly financing Buhari’s campaign and there were protest for him
not to be used as Minister, but the administration went ahead and made him
Minister of transport.
Many believed if Rotimi Amaechi was a
member of the PDP he would have probably be in the custody of the SSS or the
EFCC but recently he traveled with the President to the UK for the
anti-corruption summit and the news media have this to say.
When David Cameron was caught on camera last week before an
anti-corruption summit describing Nigeria as ‘fantastically corrupt’, the
African state’s president rallied to the Prime Minister’s defence by agreeing
with him.
But although Muhammadu Buhari is seen by some as leading the
battle against corruption, worrying allegations swirl around one of his close
allies.
Rotimi Amaechi, who travelled with the president to the summit,
is Nigeria’s transport minister and is said to have bankrolled Buhari’s
presidential campaign.
When David Cameron *(left) was caught on camera last week
describing Nigeria as ‘fantastically corrupt’, the African state’s president
Muhammadu Buhari (right) rallied to the Prime Minister’s defence by agreeing
with him
In the Nigerian press he has been dubbed ‘ATM’ – the American
term for cash machine – because of his ability to produce vast sums of money at
short notice.
He remains in his post despite being accused of misappropriating
£338million by a commission investigating the sale of state assets.
Some of that money is likely to have come from UK taxpayers, who
gave the country £1billion in aid over five years to 2014, including
£248million in 2014 alone.
Separately, Amaechi is accused of diverting £140million of state
funds into Buhari’s presidential campaign, with reports he paid for media,
consultants and private jets.
A leaked draft budget for 2016 showed the Nigerian government
earmarked £16million for the refurbishment and maintenance of the president’s
official residence, Aso Rock Guest House, in the capital Abuja
The allegations come as the president stands accused of enjoying
a lavish lifestyle while many millions suffer in poverty.
A leaked draft budget for 2016 showed the Nigerian government
earmarked £16million for the refurbishment and maintenance of the president’s
official residence, Aso Rock Guest House, in the capital Abuja.
There was also a request for £13million for building a VIP wing
at a hospital used by families of the president and his ministerial team.
Mr Amaechi has denied the allegations against him.
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