The Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party have condemned the appointment of the ex-aide of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, and self-acclaimed whistleblower, Michael Achimugu, as the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection in Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority.

Achimugu was named in the list of 46 new directors announced on Thursday by the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, for the aviation agencies.

The name of Achimugu featured prominently during the electioneering campaign and the build-up to the 2023 presidential poll where he accused his former boss of allegedly stealing public funds through ‘Special Purpose Vehicles.’

The defiant whistleblower also claimed he was privy to how the former number two citizen laundered public money through the SPV.

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A special purpose vehicle has been described as a type of business arrangement that allows companies to operate a subsidiary with independence from the parent company to mitigate financial risk.

To back up his claim, Achimugu allegedly further supplied audio clips and other documents.

The accusations and counter-accusations reached a crescendo on January 16 when the now-dissolved Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Campaign Council held a world press conference in Abuja to amplify the controversy by calling on security agencies to apprehend the former VP.

He said, “If they like, they can make Achimigu the president of Nigeria, I don’t care. Keyamo allegedly has successfully rewarded a blackmailer with the appointment as one of the directors of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Agency, over and above.

“What can you say when he was an emergency Asiwaju supporter? He will make appointments for emergency supporters so that when they all leave Asiwaju later it will be emergency exits.”

Efforts to get the reactions of the minister and his media aide, Oluseyi Odutayo were unsuccessful. They neither pick up nor return the calls of our correspondent.

As of the time of filing this story, both read the Whatsapp message sent for them to justify Achimugu’s new appointment without replying.

Meanwhile, the aviation ministry has released a statement announcing that Achimugu has officially assumed office as the director of the aviation agency.

The statement, obtained by our correspondent on Saturday, was signed by NCAA head of public relations, Carol Adekotujo.

She said, “The new Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Michael Achimugu has assumed office.

“In the political arena, he made history as the first and only Nigerian to act as a Media Consultant for multiple presidential candidates in a single election cycle, including serving as media director for the Atiku Campaign Organisation and later as a Media Consultant for Kingsley Moghalu’s Presidential Campaign.

“Before he was appointed a Director on the 22nd of December, 2023, he served as the Special Assistant, Customer Relations to the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Fetsus Keyamo. Before he was appointed, he was first appointed Special Assistant, Media to the minister,” she added. (The PUNCH)

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