Taiwo Popoola
Former Commonwealth Secretary-General Emeka has recounted the role played by late President Muhammadu Buhari in his re-election as Deputy Commonwealth Secretary-General.
Anyaoku said Buhari personally wrote a letter endorsing his nomination for the position and dispatched the then Secretary to the Government, Liman Chiroma, to deliver the letter to London.
He disclosed this on Friday while fielding questions on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme.
The former Foreign Minister stated that he was the first minister permitted by the military government under Buhari to leave the country following the coup that overthrew the civilian government in January 1984.
Anyaoku said:
“I was Foreign Minister for only three months, but the notice for nominations for the position of Deputy Commonwealth Secretary-General was to close on February 16, 1984. The coup displaced us on January 1, literally at midnight on New Year’s Eve.
“I must say that I was the first minister allowed by the Buhari government to leave the country. General Buhari and Tunde Idiagbon told me, ‘We know you’ve had nothing to do with corruption, you’re free to go. But we cannot have you as Foreign Minister.’
“I thanked them for acknowledging that I was not involved in corruption. I also told them that even if they wanted me as Foreign Minister, I would have declined, because I would spend much of my time explaining how I transitioned from serving a civilian government to a military one.”
Anyaoku explained that the process for re-electing a Deputy Commonwealth Secretary-General required endorsement from the head of state of the candidate’s country.
“When I informed them of the requirement, Buhari said, ‘Yes, we will do so. I will do so.’
“He not only wrote the letter but sent Liman Chiroma, Secretary to the Government, to deliver it in person to the Commonwealth Secretariat in London.
“At that time, three other Commonwealth governments had nominated candidates, but when my name appeared, I was unanimously re-elected.”
