Yesterday, General Buhari made a surprise and unannounced trip to London and as soon as word of it got out, Ms Alison-Madueke hurriedly booked herself on the same flight. Almost certain to be prosecuted for corruption when the government changes on May 29, Ms Alison-Madueke has been the subject of several indictments lately, including a missing $20bn of Nigeria's oil revenue.
It is believed she wanted to enter a plea bargain with the president-elect and was hoping to do it on the flight but General Buhari shunned all attempts to speak with her and his aides refused to grant her access. While General Buhari was going to board his flight, the minister abandoned her aides and raced in a bid to catch up with him but the president-elect simply ignored her and proceeded straight to the plane.
Once they boarded the flight, efforts by the minister during the six-hour flight, to speak with General Buhari also failed. Ms Alison-Madueke tried several times to stir a conversation with General Buhari but he apparently shunned her.
All Progressives Congress officials said that General Buhari is in London for a much-needed rest before being sworn-in but it is not clear if this involves a medical check-up too. Some other party sources say he needed to be flown abroad for security reasons and the General is expected back in Abuja on Tuesday.
Ms Alison-Madueke had been scheduled to travel to the UK next week Tuesday but upon learning that General Buhari was travelling to London, she quickly altered her plans and booked a seat on the same British Airways flight as him. When General Buhari assumes power, she is expected to be one of the first to be investigated over corruption within the Nigerian oil sector.
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