- Ahmed allegedly nominated self and cunningly sat on job letter for 8 months, whilst functioning as Minister
- World Bank had sent out letter since oct 2022 requesting for CV’s of three economics candidates
- Ahmed is foster sister to Kaduna state ex Governor El Rufai
NIGERIA-Former minister of finance, budget and national planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed is accused of nominating herself, in crook clandestine fashion, to take up the position of an Alternative Executive Director in the World Bank, a position reserved for Nigeria
According to a report by World Street Journal, Ahmed is purported to have secretly sat on a letter sent out by the World Bank Group 8 months ago, using her poweful position as Finance Minister to bypass and remove all required obligatory rule, which would have naturally excluded her from the job as a serving Minster.
Ahmed allegedly plotted and planed hoping to start the job hitch free, consequent upon the approval of her appointment by the World Body, without recourse to the Nigerian federal government.
It is believed the World BanK authorities had officially written the Buhari government months back, requesting 3 names of Nigerian economists qualified to fill the available position of the AED
“The letter was passed through the office of the Minister of Finance who hid the letter, thereby denying the federal government’s input into the nomination process,” WSJ quoted the source to have revealed.
“Another brewing controversy is in the selection of staff to work with her as she has narrowed the selection down to her aides when she was at the Ministry of Finance.
“Some of these aides are either too junior and in most cases lack the expertise and qualifications required by the World Bank,” the source further added.
A female (name withheld) who was at the Debt Management Office, DMO, a former directo IER, and two of her female aides are also considered as part of her team.
“The former minister will work out of the Office of the Executive Director (EDS25) known as Africa Group 3 Constituency, representing Angola, Nigeria, and South Africa.
“She will work under Ayanda Dlondlo, a South Africa who is the Executive Director (EDS25).
“The Alternate Executive Directors fulfill a dual function, as officials of the Bank and as representatives of the member-country or countries that appointed them.
“They have the full power to act for the World Bank Director when he or she is not present.
“The staff (members) of the EDS25 are committed to working with the 189 World Bank- member countries to present a consensu development issues,” the source concluded.
The Buhari government ( former), with ex Minister Zainab Ahmed, plunged Nigeria into N77 trillion foreign and local debts
SOURCE: Hallmark, World Street, Online
IMAGE: Twitter
