Umaru Dikko

Alhaji Umaru Dikko ( born December 31, 1936 in Wamba, Zaria, Kaduna State ) is a Nigerian politician.

Biography

Dikko was initially supporters of President Yakubu Gowon. In 1967 he was appointed Commissioner ( Commissioner) of the North Central State ( North Central State of Nigeria ). Later he was secretary of a commission to reunite the Nordnigerianer after the coup of 1966. Gowons After fall 1975, he was indicted for corruption and found guilty. However, this conviction did not prevent him from being again after the restoration of civilian rule in 1979 politically active.

In the government of President Shehu Shagari in 1979 he was Transport Minister in October and was due to its proximity to the president to one of the most powerful politicians in Nigeria. Although he had never runs for a mandate, he was at the height of his power, when he was the 1983 campaign manager of Shagari. Despite the criticism of his political opponents, he was appointed to his cabinet of Shagari after winning the presidential elections of 1983, the Minister of Transport. Dikkos reappointment was seen by many as a rejection Shagaris on his campaign pledge that he would initiate an independent new political beginning and an end to corruption. Dikko, who was regarded at the time as the "third ear" of the president, also had significant influence on the most important contracts of the government.

After the overthrow by a Shagaris led by Major General Muhammadu Buhari military coup left Dikko Nigeria that the new regime the fight. Later he was accused of embezzling 300 million U.S. dollars ( probably ill-gotten gains) in order to perform a run by mercenaries fighting against the new government. The main allegations of the indictment related to the acceptance of bribes during his tenure and the manipulation of the elections in 1983.

On 5 July 1984 came to a spectacular but ultimately unsuccessful kidnapping attempt by Nigerian authorities. This Dikko should the Nigeria Airways are spent in a declared as diplomatic baggage wooden box from the UK to Nigeria with a Boeing 707. At the airport London Stansted alerted the police foiled the kidnapping because the two boxes - were not sealed and the transport managers could not identify them as diplomatic couriers - those with Dikko and a second with the two hijackers in it. This action subsequently led to a reduction of diplomatic relations between the two countries.