By Dipo Olowookere
The presidency has clarified the role of Africa’s richest man, Mr Aliko Dangote, in the All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council of President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election bid.
On Friday, the ruling party named Mr Dangote and Mr Femi Otedola of Forte Oil as Special Advisory Committee to President Buhari.
This move was highly criticised by many Nigerians and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and shares of the companies of the two businessmen depreciated on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday.
On Saturday morning, the presidency released a statement, stressing that Mr Dangote is not a member of the APC Campaign Council.
In the statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, it was emphasised that Mr Dangote is not a card-carrying member of the ruling party and because of that, he cannot be a member of the council.
“It has become imperative to further clarify the status of Alhaji Aliko Dangote, named under the sub-head ADVISORY MEMBERS in the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council announced on Friday, December 28, 2018.
“Africa’s richest man, not being a card-carrying member of APC, cannot, and is not member of the PCC. “He is also a member of the Peace Committee, and thus cannot be in a partisan campaign council,” the statement said.
Adedapo Adesanya 
Aduragbemi Omiyale