News; Buhari weeps as UK exposes Amaechi’s loots, probes APC’s campaign funds

A leading Newspaper in the United Kingdom, UK, ‘The Mail Daily’ , has on Sunday, May 15, published a report revealing how the former Governor of Rivers State and current Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, looted Nigeria’s treasury.

The report added, that President Muhammadu Buhari’s ‘fantastically corrupt” friend, spent over $140 million on the president’s 2015 campaign and has been accused of stealing £500 million.

“But although, Buhari is seen by some as leading the battle against corruption, but worrying allegations swirl around one of his close allies,” the British Newspaper said.

“Rotimi Amaechi, who traveled with the president to the summit, is Nigeria’s transport minister and is said to have bankrolled Buhari’s presidential campaign.”

Recall, that Amaechi has been indicted by a judicial commission of inquiry in Rivers State for looting the treasury of the state, when he served as Governor for eight years.

However, Amaechi had denied the allegations of corruption and refused to appear before the judicial panel of inquiry to defend himself.

This revelation is coming, following a remark last week by UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, in which he described Nigeria as one of the most corrupt countries in the world, tagging the West African giant as “fantastically corrupt”.

Local media in Nigeria had tagged Amaechi the ATM of Buhari’s presidential campaign and his party the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Amaechi is praised by APC leaders for single-handedly funding the governorship campaigns of at least five APC governors, including that of former speaker, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State.

“Amaechi remains in his post despite being accused of misappropriating £338 million by a commission investigating the sale of state assets,” the UK Mail observed as it questioned Buhari’s sincerity in fighting corruption.

“Separately, Amaechi is accused of diverting £140 million of state funds into Buhari’s presidential campaign, with reports he paid for media, consultants and private jets.

“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 £16 million 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 £13 million for building a VIP wing at a hospital used by families of the president and his ministerial team,” the paper noted.