I Am A Fan Of President Buhari – Mailafia; Says Those Around Him Are The Problem |The Source

By Akinwale Kasali

In a surprise about-turn, former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr Obodiah Mailafia, has declared himself a fan of President Muhammadu Buhari.

He spoke on Thursday on the British Broadcasting Service, Hausa Service while answering on his earlier allegations against the President and his Government.

Mailafia became an instant news sensation after he granted an interview to an FM Radio station, Info Nigeria, and made many allegations concerning the activities of the Boko Haram insurgents.

He alleged that a Northern Governor is a Commander of the insurgent group, among other very serious allegations, including assassination plans, and the breaking of a civil war in Nigeria in 2022.

He said his information came from repentant Boko Haram Commanders with whom he spoke on a number of times.

The interview earned him an invitation by the Directorate of State Services, DSS, which released him on bail after grilling him.

But speaking to the BBC Hausa Service on Thursday, Malaifai said he regreted what he said, and declared himself a fan of President Buhari but added: ” There are bad people who don’t give him advice to help him”

He said he never knew  his  interview would go viral, and that it was misunderstood.

Apologising profusely, he confessed that he got his information from Fulani traders in a market, admitting he made a mistake, and would never repeat such a mistake.

The DSS has warned it would never tolerate such misinformation again, and accused Mailafia of playing to the gallery.

The Northern Governors’ Forum, on its part,  insists on an investigation, saying the allegations by Dr Mailafia were so weighty it should not be swept under the carpet.