A British newspaper, UK Mail, on Sunday questioned President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption credentials ahead of his arrival in London for a world anti-corruption summit to be hosted by UK’s prime minister, David Cameron.
The paper said “self-proclaimed ‘People’s President’”, Buhari, may be waging a war against corruption his critics have described as a witch hunt.
It wrote that Buhari sends his daughter to a £26,000-a-year English school and that in April, the opposition PDP party unearthed a ticket stub showing Hanan, 16, had flown first-class from London to Nigeria, despite her father’s ban on officials using premium travel.
The report added added Buhari had spent £150,000 on educating his daughter Zahra, a Surrey University student.
The paper also questioned Buhari’s failure to give a full account of his worth, and pointed out his partial admission of more than £1million in the bank, five houses and two plots of land.
UK Mail added: “The presence of Nigeria’s president at David Cameron’s anti-corruption summit this week may surprise many in his nation – which receives vast amounts of UK aid.
“Self-proclaimed ‘People’s President’ Muhammadu Buhari began a war on corruption after taking power last year, but critics allege it is a political witch-hunt.
“The Government is giving nearly £250million in the coming year to oil-rich Nigeria..
“Supporters say 49 arrests of members of the previous regime show the anti-corruption war is genuine, but opponents say it is politically driven.
“Nigeria has the highest-paid government officials in the world but is one of the largest beneficiaries of UK foreign aid.
“The president of its senate, Bukola Saraki, is due to face trial on corruption charges after it emerged he has a £6million London property in his wife’s name.
“The Nigerian Embassy did not comment”, UK Mail added.
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