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2019 Election: Amina Zakari’s Family Speak On Her Relationship With President Buhari

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Family Speaks On Zakari’s Blood Relationship With Buhari

The family of Amina Zakari, an INEC national commissioner, have finally broken their silence on the relationship between her and President Muhammadu Buhari.

Naija News recalls that following the appointment of Amina Zakari as Head of Collation Centre for the 2019 general election,there have been several calls from certain quarters particularly from the opposition that Zakari, who is alleged to be a blood relation of Buhari should not function in such sensitive position.

In a statement by the family’s spokesperson, Isah Zakari, it said contrary to claims in certain quarters, Zakari has no blood relationship with President Buhari.

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The family also urged those peddling the rumours to desist from such action and allow the Independent National Electoral Commissioner (INEC) official focus on her duties as the general elections draw nearer.

“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.

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“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.

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“The pieces of information being sold to the press about Mrs. Amina Zakari by the PDP are absolutely false, tendentious, malicious and highly reprehensible.”

“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.”