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$1b Arms Purchase: No One Should Play Politics With Security Of Nigerians, Presidency Warns
By STANLEY CHIMEZIE -April 6, 2018


CRITICS of President Muhammadu Buhari’s led government has been warned not to play politics with the security of Nigerians.

The presidency gave the warning while clarifying the controversy surrounding the recently approved $1billion by President Buhari for purchase of arms and ammunition mainly for combatting insurgency in the North-East.

It also said there was no illegality in the release of the funds.

The Personal Assistant to the President on Social Media, Lauretta Onochie, said the release was duly approved by the National Economic Council and state Houses of Assembly.

Onochie through a tweet posted on her Twitter handle, @Laurestar, said, “The NEC made up of state governors, approved the $1bn given to the military to purchase arms.

“The state Houses of Assembly approved same. There is no illegality in the release of the funds to the military.

“No one should play politics with the security of Nigerians.”

Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, had while reacting to the approval described it as funds meant for the president’s re-election.

Attacking the governor, Onochie said the governor said so because his friends and colleagues are looters which led him to draw such a conclusion.

“Spare a thought for Gov. Fayose. When a man’s political associates and friends are all looters, he sees looting in everything.

“Can we forget how his friends and associates looted the arms funds, leaving our people in dire security situations? It won’t happen again. #NeverAgain.”

The Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, had on Wednesday at the end of a meeting Buhari had with security chiefs at the Presidential Villa, Abuja said the President approved the purchase of equipment worth $1bn for the nation’s military.

“What I can add, after all that I have said is to inform you that of recent, our leader, President Muhammadu Buhari gave approval for the purchase of more equipment for the military, worth $1bn,” the minister had said.

The National Economic Council (NEC), chaired by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo had in December 2017 approved the withdrawal of $1billion from the Excess Crude Account to fight insecurity.

Mr Fayose had kicked against the approval of the NEC for the funds, saying he was not consulted since the NEC comprises of governors of the federating units of which he is among.

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, also noted that he was not consulted and never gave his assent.