Little wonder many in the corridors of power in Abuja catch cold if Idris Alubankudi Saliu sneezes. He parades himself as the anointed “Godson” of the President, who has the ever-listening ear of his principal, to the extent that he commands the president’s attention.
Unlike typical advisors who collaborate with the Federal Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Saliu is said to report directly to the president.
Reports suggest that Saliu is at the forefront of a coordinated strategy that some describe as state capture, leveraging his background in the private sector. He previously served as Chief Technical Officer at Interswitch and co-founded two fintech companies, Ceviant Finance and Arca. Various sources allege that Saliu, along with other advisors and ministers, is engaged in actions that favor personal and financial interests over national priorities, positioning their associates within key industries rather than allowing for fair competition.
Saliu appears to be utilizing his extensive expertise in technology, telecommunications, and finance to infiltrate major private companies through various means. One insider remarked, “Despite initial skepticism about his appointment as Special Adviser, it's evident that his role is to leverage his knowledge to align financial opportunities for himself and his associates.”
In just 18 months, the Tinubu administration is perceived as aggressively consolidating control, with Saliu playing a crucial role in implementing strategies that impose unreasonable demands on major companies. Many firms find themselves facing a stark choice: comply or suffer significant losses. They are reportedly being targeted through summons, investigations, and denial of approvals. Once companies fall out of favor with Saliu, it appears that only divine intervention or the president’s influence might prompt him to relent.
Allegations have surfaced that Saliu is exploiting frivolous petitions and misinformation to misdirect regulatory agencies, wasting resources on fruitless investigations that yield no results. It remains uncertain whether President Tinubu is aware of these activities or if Saliu is acting independently or in coordination with other high-ranking officials.
There are indications that numerous formal complaints have been lodged against him, and if Nigeria were more transparent with such petitions, the public would see many responses he has had to provide. Concerns are growing within government circles about the implications of these actions, while those in the private sector are increasingly wary of the potential damage to the president’s reputation. However, fear of repercussions has silenced many who might otherwise speak out.
It goes without saying that, wielding such a big stick, Saliu has been using his advantageous position to enrich himself beyond avarice, greed, and self-aggrandizement, fostering an environment of bitterness and selfishness in many cases.
https://guardian.ng/news/ahead-2027-is-the-nigerian-state-being-captured-aggressively/
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