Prominent ethnic nationalities and other groups in the country have expressed displeasure on President Muhammadu Buhari for secretly approving N1.45 billion to purchase 10 units of Toyota Land Cruiser Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) in February this year, for the Niger Republic.
They also expressed worry that Buhari has been showering gifts to the country, even in preference to several parts and sections of Nigeria which are in urgent need of his attention as president.
The groups, which included the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, the apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) and the Credibility Group, in their separate expressions wondered why President Buhari would approve such monies for the purchase of exotic vehicles claiming it was to assist the Niger Republic fight insecurity challenges in that country, whereas the situation back in Nigeria is not getting any better.
The National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Jare Ajayi, said President Buhari’s action confirmed that the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government is not in touch with the reality in Nigeria.
According to him: “It is tempting to regard the government’s gesture to the Niger Republic as uncalled for.
“Indeed, it is tempting to insinuate that there must be an undisclosed ulterior motive in President Buhari over the gesture.
“Those who might think so should not be condemned. For there is so much happening here that deserve urgent attention.
“What the government should do is to raise the welfare and morale of the fighting security officers, equip them appropriately and allow the setting-up of state police.”
The National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Chidozie Alex Ogbonnia, called on the National Assembly to investigate the matter and determine whether any laws were breached in disbursing the funds.
He said: “it is the height of insensitivity and unconscionable on the part of the president to approve such humongous amount for Niger Republic given the insecurity challenges and hunger facing Nigerians. It is very painful to ordinary Nigerians.
“Of all the policies and actions taken by President Buhari’s administration, this is the worst, it shows his insensitivity to the plight of Nigerians.”
President of the MBF, Dr. Pogu Bitrus, said there were two possible sides to the issue – the obligations of Nigeria to the Niger Republic under a possible bilateral agreement between both countries and the morality side.
He stated that regardless of any bilateral agreement that may exist, it is morally wrong and offensive to ignore situations at home to fulfil bilateral agreements.
He emphasised that recent actions of President Buhari suggested he has a preference for the Niger Republic over Nigeria.
On his part, Chief Goddy Uwazurike, a lawyer, and the president of the Credibility Group also condemned President Buhari’s action.
The former President of Aka Ikenga noted that President Buhari has demonstrated another downward spiral with his action by ignoring the situation of things at home and concentrating on situations in a foreign country.
He said that: “Nigerian money cannot be appropriated unless first budgeted for and signed into law, so says the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“It comes as a shock that Mr President, the person most concerned with the supremacy of the constitution authorised the expenditure of our money by buying 10 expensive SUVs at more than what common sense dictates.
“The president’s action is condemnable by all patriotic people.
“The Nigerian university system is comatose just because the president has refused to handle the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) issues.
“Today, terrorists are holding up the country, but the priority of the presidential team is the welfare and progress of the Niger Republic, not that of Nigeria”.
