The appointment of Mrs Amina Zakari as acting Chairman of the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC) is a reward for her highly partisan
loyalty to the President Muhammadu Buhari presidential ambition while
serving as INEC National Electoral Commissioner.
Zakari is a daughter of the Emir of Kazaure Alhaji Najib Adamu of Jigawa
State who is a blood relation of the Buharis of Daura in Katsina State.
A very reliable source in INEC told Nigerian Times that Zakari who is a
proven blood relative of the President was Buhari’s eye in the commission
and was always reporting the activities of the former INEC chairman, Prof.
Atahiru Jega to the campaign organisation.
Nigerian Times also learnt that she was a staff of Afri Projects
Consortium headed by Buhari’s late inlaw, Salihijo Ahmad between 1999 to
2001 as a Senior Consultant/Chief Pharmacist. The company was a major
consultant to the defunct Petroleum Trust Fund when Buhari headed the
organisation.
Recall that Buhari called for the sack Jega-led INEC accusing it of having
developed “a very cozy relationship with Executive and Judicial arms of
government that its impartiality is totally lost”.
The source which pleaded anonymity said she was never a voice of
moderation but that of partisanship in the commission.
Her appointment, Nigerian Times learnt was recommended by members of
Buhari’s inner circle. They include Mohammed Hayatudeen, Mallam Nasir
El-Rufai, Babagana Kingibe and Hamidu Ali.
However, this group believed that Nigerians will accept her as a good
choice since she is a woman but in essence her appointment is meant to
protect the interests of the All Progressive Congress during post-election
judicial processes, the source alleged.
PDP spokesperson, Olisa Metuh also corroborated the source when he said
Wednesday during a press briefing that “Zakari as acting chairman which,
we gathered was influenced by personal relationship with the Presidency
and one of the new governors of the North West, ostensibly to pave the way
for the APC at the electoral tribunals, has completely eroded public trust
in the commission.”
Zakari who is a widow and mother of five superintended over the general
elections in Kebbi State. She is from Jigawa state and holds a degree in
pharmacy.
She was appointed a National Commissioner of INEC in 2010.
Nigerian Times