Sirika Breaks Silence: My Fiery Response To Onanuga’s Coalition Allegation Against Tinubu

Former Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika, has dismissed claims linking him to an opposition coalition working against the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

Sirika, who served as minister twice under former President Muhammadu Buhari, made the clarification during an interview on Channels Television on Wednesday.

Responding to the reports, he said: “No, I am not.”

The ex-minister confirmed that he visited the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday, where he held discussions with presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga.

“Yesterday, I was with Chief Bayo Onanuga in the Presidential Villa and he told me I was listed in the coalition. I told him I was not, and never will be. He said he got that from the reports. People can join coalitions, it is democracy,” Sirika explained.

Since leaving office in 2023, Sirika has been standing trial for alleged corruption and abuse of office. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accused him of awarding multi-billion-naira aviation contracts to companies owned by family members, including his daughter, Fatima Sirika, and son-in-law, Jalal Hamma.

Specifically, the EFCC alleged that he split a federal aviation contract worth ₦2.7 billion to bypass regulatory approvals and diverted them to family-linked firms.

When asked if his visit to the Presidential Villa was an attempt to seek a soft landing, Sirika maintained that the matter was still before the court and could not be discussed publicly.

“The purpose of the meeting was to officially pay our condolences to the President, who stood firm after the passing of our leader, President Muhammadu Buhari. It was also to appreciate him for his efforts and to assure him of our party’s support, as he is our leader,” he said.

On the corruption charges, he added: “Unfortunately, this matter is in court and should not be subjected to media trial. I am a very clean man. I have worked with integrity, and the government has every tool at its disposal to assess my character.”