It is no secret that there is no love lost between the wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari and the men that surrounds her husband, especially those who have been labeled as the cabal that are indirectly calling the shots. Names like Abba Kyari and the president’s nephew, Mamman Daura are always on the lips of people, with several actions credited to them. However, there is someone close to the president who has a lot more influence on him than Kyari and Daura.
Ismaila Isa Funtua, according to very reliable sources is actually the most influential and feared man in the government of President Muhammadu Buhari. Funtua is said to be the most powerful man in Buhari’s government although he holds no official position. His words are said to be law and whoever he favors can do no wrong in the sight of the president.
Isa Funtua who is the chairman of Bulet International Construction Company is reputed to have a solid say in every major actions taken by President, whether on his domestic or national issues, including key appointments in government. His company, Bulet International Construction Company was very involved in the development of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja in the 80s and 90s.
Funtua is a northern aristocrat and has been in money long before Buhari was elected civilian president. He is said to be close to some of the most influential men across the length and breadth of Nigeria. He is one of the most visible figures during the presidential election tribunal, along with other key trusted associates of the president like Abba Kyari and Daura.
Funtua’s son, Abubakar who is being groomed as a future Governor of Katsina State is one of the silver spoon young men around who loves to live life to the hilt. In January 2019, he bought a Lamborghini Aventador which costs a princely $450,000. The car was flown on Emirate Airline from Dubai to his Abuja home. The car caused quite a stir when it was spotted on the streets of Abuja. The son of Isa Funtua does not do things in half measure, those who know him claims that in Dubai, where he likes to go to enjoy himself, he is treated as one of the princes of the land.
Isa Funtua was recently mentioned in the controversial acquisition of Keystone Bank and 9Mobile, as it was claimed that he fraudulently acquired these business concerns, allegations that were however not substantiated. There are also claims that the Funtua’s run a Bureau de Change business that enjoys a special privilege from the Central Bank of Nigeria, this is another claim that has not been substantiated.
Born in Funtua, Katsina State He was a pioneer student of the Federal Training Centre Kaduna. He trained as an administrative officer at the Institute of Administration, Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, Zaria, Kaaduna State and as an administrator at the Manchester University in the UK. He was the Monitor General of the Course 9, National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, Kuru. He is always a prominent figure on the entourage of President Muhammadu Buhari on most of his trips abroad.
