Yes, I Met With Diezani And What’s The Big Deal ? – Abdulsalamu

A former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), has described those reading meaning into his meeting with the embattled Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, as mischief makers. It has been rumoured in some quarters that the minister met with the former Head of State so that he could appeal to the President-Elect, Muhammadu Buhari, on her behalf for soft landing. It is believed that Alison-Madueke has many questions to answer regarding shady deals that took place in the petroleum sector under her watch. The ex-military leader did not only confirm holding a meeting with her but said there was no big deal in it. Abubakar, who heads the National Peace Committee for the 2015 General Elections, confirmed the meeting to State House correspondents on Thursday. He said in his capacity as peace maker, he has met a lot ministers and other key stakeholders before and during the general elections. He said: “”I think people are just trying to be mischievous. “I have been meeting with a lot of people and a lot of ministers in the course of this transition. “So there is nothing strange in me meeting with anybody. “I wonder if you go through your records to see the number of meetings I have been engaging in. “I don’t know why the last one will be a subject of media chat. “This is not the first time I have been meeting her and a number of ministers so I don’t see what the whole hullabaloo is all about. “People are just being mischievous.” On his frequent meetings with Jonathan and Buhari, he had this to say: “As the chairman of the peace committee, there is always interaction between the incoming and President Jonathan in order to ensure that the peace we have been able to get is sustained. “So naturally I’m here to touch base with him and also to give him a report of what the committee has been doing. “I’m not serving as intermediary. “I told you I’m coming here as the chairman of peace committee and naturally we have to interact. “I go and see General Buhari and I also see the President all in an effort to make sure that this transition goes on smoothly and we maintain the peace. “You are aware that there are some disturbances in some of the states and of course both the incoming and outgoing presidents have roles to play. “The chairman of the various parties have roles to play in order to maintain that peace. “I think we have to thank God in the first place. “Secondly we have to thank President Jonathan for his statesmanship and his actions have really brought peace. “We also have to thank Buhari for harping on his supporters to tone down their celebrations.” Minutes after Abubakar left the State House, Alison-Madueke drove in and headed straight to the President’s office.