Posted on: 11:21 Thu, 10 Dec 2015



The former administration of
Goodluck Jonathan spent billions of
naira and millions of dollars on
efforts to equip the Nigerian military
against Boko Haram, but there was
rampant “abuse of trust”, President
Muhammadu Buhari has said.

Mr. Buhari said the abuse cost the
nation lives and equipment.

He made the remark while
addressing members of the House of
Representatives on Wednesday.

Mr. Buhari urged the legislature to
collaborate with the executive arm of
government to secure the country
and effectively manage it.

“There are a lot of obstacles to be
crossed. The objectives we have are
to secure this country and effectively
manage it,” the president said.

According to him, the major
challenge in the security of the
country was the threat posed by the
Boko Haram insurgency but added
that the leadership of the country
had set clear targets toward the re-
organisation, retraining and re-
equipping the military to neutralize
Boko Haram.

He said his administration had
hoped that at the end of the rainy
season organised attack would be
launched against the insurgents,
adding that government had also
raised the morale of the soldiers to
tackle the challenge.

The president, however, observed
that his administration uncovered
that the previous administration
expended “billions of naira and
hundreds of millions of dollars to
acquire military equipment but with
several abuses of trust.

“There were abuses of trust and that
cost Nigeria a lot of lives and a lot of
goodwill’’ he said.

Mr. Buhari observed that Nigeria,
which had earned reputation in the
fight against criminal activities and
defence of territories abroad, found
out that it could no longer defend a
few local government areas occupied
by insurgents.

“I seek your understanding,” Mr.
Buhari appealed.

He told the legislators to think about
the consequences of not acting in
tandem with the government, noting
that Nigerians were wiser to know
those who represent them well.

He noted that he took the initiative
of seeking the collaboration of the
international community to be able
to win the war against terrorism.

He said the Boko Haram’s attempt to
divide the country was a
miscalculation adding that their
claim to be fighting for Islam was
both misleading and working against
God.

He said the group was gradually
being decimated and were finding it
difficult to recruit while the military
was doing well.

Responding, the Speaker of the
House, Yakubu Dogara, said that the
support of his colleagues would be
total to ensure that the government
bequeathed something meaningful to
posterity.

“What bothers me is the legacy we
are leaving behind. After we have
exited, what will our children and
grandchildren say about us,’’ he said.

He noted that there was bound to be
disagreements between the executive
and the legislature, beginning with
the handling of the provisions of the
2016 appropriation bill but said the
issue would be handled in the
interest of the public.

“Your hosting us today shows that
there will be a seamless interface
between the three arms of
government to deliver to the people.

“We support you like many
Nigerians will support you because
there is nobody that will be in doubt
that you will rid this country of
corruption,” he said.

Mr. Dogara added that the time to
restructure the economy was now.

“These four years are very critical. If
you don’t get it right under us, this
generation will forget about getting it
right.

“We will support you regardless of
our political differences and we have
to leave something to our children
and posterity,’’ he added.

Source: Premium Times