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Amina Zakari speaks on relationship with Buhari

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Amina Zakari not Buhari's blood relation- Presidency

In the wake of reactions that have trailed her appointment as the head of National Collation centre for Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the coming elections, Amina Zakari has given clarifications on her relationship with President Muhammadu Buhari.

Zakari, a National Commissioner of INEC, said, contrary to allegation, no bloodline relationship existed between her and the President.

There have been widespread allegations that Zakari was a niece to Buhari and her appointment would only aid the purported plan by the President to manipulate the elections.

But Zakari, during an interview with the BBC said her experience and capacity had earned her the job rather than any bloodline relationship, as alleged.

She added that her work experience with previous Presidents, including Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Dr. Goodluck Jonathan had brought her this far.

She noted, “I’m not his niece, I am not his cousin and on this job, I was appointed since 2010 by President Jonathan and prior to that, I was appointed as SA to President Obasanjo and I have done my work conscientiously over the years as a patriotic citizen of Nigeria.”

Read also: CUPP threatens peace accord over INEC’s appointment to Zakari

The former acting Chairman of INEC said the election ahead was a great task and would not be distracted by hearsay, maintaining that the President was neither her uncle nor cousin.

“I don’t think I should be distracted now that elections are coming, I will continue doing my work, I will continue to serve my country to the best of my ability, with the best of intentions. President Muhammadu Buhari is my President as everybody else’s President.

“He is not my cousin, he is not my uncle as is being claimed but I know him as my leader and the leader of the nation.”

By Babatunde Alao….

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