The family of Amina Zakari, a
national commissioner at the Independent National Electoral Commision (INEC),
has explained its ties to President Muhammadu Buhari.
The appointment of Zakari as head
of INEC’s collation centre in the forthcoming general election has generated
controversy.
The Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) had alleged that she is related to the president and her position would
compromise the electoral process.
In a statement by Isah Zakari,
the family described the rumours as “blatant lies and a campaign of calumny
orchestrated to pull her down”.
It said contrary to widespread
belief, Zakari is not a blood relation of the president.
“We ordinarily will not join
issues with any political party, newspaper or media organization because we
will not want to constitute an impediment to the discharge of their
constitutionally guaranteed responsibilities. It is, therefore, a very tough
decision to react to the blatant lies told against our mother, daughter and
sister, Mrs. Amina Zakari,” the statement read.
“We have taken this decision in
firm belief that this clarification will put to rest the ceaseless campaign of
calumny orchestrated to pull her down.
“Amina Zakari is a patriotic
Nigeria who has served her country faithfully and honestly for years without
blemish. We are therefore pained by the report that portrays Amina Zakari
working to sabotage INEC’s firm determination to advance the democratic journey
by creating a conducive atmosphere for citizens to exercise their voting
rights.
“Contrary to the widespread
belief, Amina Zakari is not a blood relation of President Muhammadu Buhari. Her
mother was from Daura (born and bred in Kano) and she was not Buhari’s sister.
It’s also true that Buhari’s sister was once married into the family. The union
was short lived and did not produce a child. This all happened well before Mrs.
Zakari was born.
“Furthermore, Alhaji Tanko
Yakasai, the veteran Kano politician who first made the claim that she was born
by Buhari’s sister has since recanted. Those who have held on to the claim are
therefore either unaware of his recantation or they are simply incapable of
letting go their prejudices in the face of facts to the contrary.
“It is laughable that Mrs. Zakari
who was appointed National Commissioner by former President Goodluck Jonathan
under a PDP government can no longer perform any function in INEC because she
is a supposed relation of President Muhammadu Buhari.
“The pieces of information being
sold to the press about Mrs. Amina Zakari by the PDP are absolutely false,
tendentious, malicious and highly reprehensible.”
The family said instead of
celebrating Zakari as an election expert, her accomplishments are being reduced
to “mere family ties”.
“She has now served under 3
different President’s in various capacities and has served her nation in a
forthright and honest manner with the utmost humility and much sacrifice,” the
statement read.
“She is one of the most accomplished
election experts in Nigeria with 2 elections under her belt (2011,2015).
“What is unfortunate is instead
of celebrating an accomplished woman to support diversity in our polity and
groom our future female leaders, we are stuck on belittling Mrs. Zakari’s
accomplishments to mere familial ties. If we begin to harangue and harass our
officials for family ties (which they do not control) over competence we shall
have no one to serve.
“Enough is enough leave our
mother, daughter, sister alone to serve the nation as she has done so
diligently over her life and career.”
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The campaign of calumny was targeted at PMB.
ReplyDeletePoliticians are expected to be people of depths and understanding of the working of the system, while exuding wisdom in all ramification. It is quite unfortunate this is not so.
Rather basing their selling points on critical issues of governance and people oriented developmental programmes/projects, they denigrated to flimsy issues that does not have bearing to competence and good governance.
Common Nigeria politicians we are more than fault finders!!!
Please if there is any connection between both families, then she cannot be the best candidate for the position. Nigeria has other qualified if not more qualified people who have no tie, whatsoever, with anyone in the picture.
ReplyDeleteWhy would someone who would naturally tilt to one side be used?