How Buhari snubbed petroleum minister on British Airways

dimeji akinloye

May 23, 2015 12:46 PM

The Minister was said to have booked herself into the seat directly behind Buhari’s.

President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, reportedly refused a conversation with the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, who allegedly booked the same flight to London on Friday, May 22, with the intention of a possible dialogue.

According to Sahara Reporters, Buhari only exchanged greetings with the Minister while they were boarding the British Airways aircraft, and further attempts by Alison-Madueke to strike a dialogue after they had settled down in their First Class compartment seats, was ignored by the retired Major-General.

It was reported that she got up a few times to make a conversation with Buhari, but he only nodded without permitting any dialogue.

Punch reported that the Minister ran to catch up with the President-elect at the Nnamdi Azikwe Airport, Abuja before their flight.

Alison-Madueke’s UK trip was said to be originally scheduled for next Tuesday, May 26, after honouring the Senate summon over the lingering fuel crisis on Monday, May 25.

Sources said she changed her schedule, booking herself on the same flight with Buhari after learning of his trip.

It is believed that the Minister is scheming to be in the good books of the President-elect as her ministry is described as the most corrupt in Jonathan administration, and may be first to be probed by Buhari government.

dimeji akinloye