-Payment was made to beat US government’s deadline
-US officials confirm payment of said amount
-Money taken from ECA, pending supplementary input to 2018 budget on anticipatory approval of supplementary budget
-The Super Tucano aircraft cost more than $10 million each, but the price could be higher depending on the configuration.
-Delivery date for War Jets and other weapons, put at 2020

President Buhari had sent explanatory letter to the leadership of the National Assembly on why he gave approval for the withdrawal of $462 million from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) for the procurement of 12 Super Tucano aircraft from the United States government without getting the approval of the National Assembly.

The president’s letter was written to the National Assembly leadership on April 13, 2018, but it was received in the Office of the Speaker of the House on April 17, 2018.

The letter showed clearly that the president had already given anticipatory approval for the withdrawal of the sum of $496,374,470 (N151,394,421,355) from the ECA for the purchase of 12 Tucano aircraft from the U.S. and was seeking the inclusion of same in the 2018 Appropriation Bill that the National Assembly is yet to approve.

In the letter, president Buhari explained that the U.S. government had given a payment deadline for the aircraft purchase, otherwise, the contract would lapse.

But this could prove to be a major problem for Buhari and would likely worsen the discord between the executive and the National Assembly, as the legislature last week had summoned the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele, and the Accountant General of the Federation, Mr. Ahmed Idris over the disbursement of the funds for the procurement of the aircraft from the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) without appropriation by the legislature.

The president in his letter to the Speaker, dated April 13, stated: “I wish to draw the attention of the House of Representatives to the ongoing security emergencies in the country. These challenges were discussed with the state governors and subsequently, at the meeting of the National Economic Council on 14th December, 2017, where a resolution was passed, with the Council approving that up to US$1 billion may be released and utilised from the Excess Crude Account to address the situation.

“Subsequent upon this approval, we are preparing a comprehensive schedule of all the requirements for each of the security services for presentation to the National Assembly for consideration.

“It would be recalled that, for a number of years, Nigeria had been in discussions with the United States Government for the purchase of Super Tucano Aircraft under a direct Government-to-Government arrangement. Recently, approval was finally granted by the United States Government, but with a deadline within which part payment must be made otherwise, the contract would lapse.In the expectation that the National Assembly would have no objection to the purchase of this highly specialised aircraft, which is critical to national security, I granted anticipatory approval for the release of US$496,374,470.00. This was paid directly to the treasury of the United States Government.

I am therefore writing, seeking approval of this House for the sum of US$496,374,470.00 (equivalent to N151,394,421,335.00) to be included in the 2018 Appropriation Bill, which the National Assembly is currently finalising. The balance of the requirements for critical operational equipment is still being collated from the different security services and will be presented in the form of a Supplementary Appropriation Bill, in due course.’’

“The Honourable Minister of Defence and other appropriate officers will be available to provide further details, as may be required.While thanking the Honourable Members for the usual cooperation, please be assured Mr. Speaker, the assurance of my highest regards.”

Some lawmakers in the House confirmed yesterday that this was the reason Adeosun, Emefiele and Idris were summoned last week to appear before the Senate and House to explain the withdrawal of $496 million from the CRF without legislative approval.

However, a lawmaker who preferred not to be named, also explained that the rush to pay the U.S. government the huge amount, despite Nigeria’s rejection of the stringent payments terms for the procurement of the Tucano aircraft, was targeted at being on the right side of U.S. President Donald Trump before the 2019 general election in Nigeria, hence the invitation extended to Buhari to visit the White House on April 30.

“Remember that the U.S. was quite influential in the 2015 elections. Buhari and his handlers are quite aware of this. They also know that President Trump is a businessman, for him it’s ‘America First’, hence he (Trump) does not have the qualms former President Barack Obama had over the sale of military equipment to Nigeria, despite the allegations of human rights abuses by the Nigerian military.

“For President Trump, he will sign deals with countries willing to buy U.S. military equipment because it creates jobs for defense industries and firms in his country and brings money into the American economy. “Now, for the Nigerian presidency, it was important that they met the payment deadline, despite the draconian conditions given for the purchase of the aircraft which are not in Nigeria’s favour, even by the defense minister’s admission.’’

“This is what secured the invitation for Buhari to the White House and if he plays his cards right, will keep him on the right side of Donald Trump before the Nigerian elections in 2019.

“If Buhari and his handlers get the tacit support of the U.S. as we head into the elections, that would be a major achievement for the APC,” he explained.

However, he noted that whilst many lawmakers were aware of the political reason the president had quickly approved the withdrawal from the ECA and transfer to the U.S. government treasury, their main concern was the fact that he did it without the approval of the National Assembly as stipulated by the Nigerian Constitution.

“This is a major constitutional breach and that is why Adeosun, Emefiele and Idris have been summoned. It does not bode well for the executive,” he said.

Meanwhile, the U.S. government said yesterday that it would deliver the 12 Super Tucano fighter jets and other weapons that it agreed to sell to Nigeria to combat Boko Haram terrorists and other extremist groups in 2020.

A senior U.S. Department of State official made the disclosure during a background briefing with journalists at the U.S. Consul General’s residence in Ikoyi, Lagos, yesterday.

The official, who confirmed that the Nigerian government had paid for the warplanes, said the sale of the aircraft with weapons and services worth over $400 million included bombs and rockets, reported the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

It was learnt that the propeller-flown aircraft with reconnaissance, surveillance and attack capabilities,was made by Brazil’s Embraer.Embraer’s second production line is in Florida in a partnership with privately held Sierra Nevada Corp of Sparks, Nevada.

The Super Tucano aircraft are said to cost more than $10 million each but the price could be higher depending on the configuration. They are powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT 6 engines.

https://www.financialdigest.com.ng/

10 million dollars for ww2 aircraft? Kollewenk

So PMB has gone ahead to deduct from the excess crude account without National assembly approval? This is wrong.
Why did the executive wait till the US deadline was approaching before hurriedly making payment. This approval from Trump's administration to buy the aircrafts was given since last year? Why didn't PMB follow due process in securing National assembly approval since last year? He is now writing to inform them after doing the deed
This is unconstitutional and impeachable offence.

Is anticipatory approval constitutional?

Lawyers please enlighten us.

Otherwise,impeachement loading........

To buy yr way to white house visitation
Pay as you go

This government is only interested on how money is shared and not how money is made.
I pity Niger delta though.
See hw others are mis using their God given wealth.
Careless about the common man
They like the public office but hate the publc,never want anything to do with them.
I just wish oil dries up so these people can start thinking. .
Hypocrisy, dishonest, lies and trick is the hallmark of this man's government

So we are to wait till 2020?

Boko Haram till 2020?

limeta:
To buy yr way to white house visitation
Pay as you go

Paperwhite:
You can never justify legality with illegality.Buhari is utterly corrupt.

Buhari has always been corrupt. Wonder where people got the idea of 'integrity' from.

eagleeye2:

Buhari has always been corrupt. Wonder where people got the idea of 'integrity' from.

How do yo mean?

Doyin2:


How do yo mean?

Read about the man Buhari, and you will understand better. Especially his time as a military president and his time ptdf

eagleeye2:

Read about the man Buhari, and you will understand better. Especially his time as a military president and his time ptdf

sir, ur ryt but.
dis one has plane?!
Haba bubu!

eagleeye2:

Read about the man Buhari, and you will understand better. Especially his time as a military president and his time ptdf

I thought you had stated the facts.

I hate speculations.

enlady:
So PMB has gone ahead to deduct from the excess crude account without National assembly approval? This is wrong.
Why did the executive wait till the US deadline was approaching before hurriedly making payment. This approval from Trump's administration to buy the aircrafts was given since last year? Why didn't PMB follow due process in securing National assembly approval since last year? He is now writing to inform them after doing the deed
This is unconstitutional and impeachable offence.

The President Is Lazy Na!!


Are U Not Aware??

Goodness gracious! What impunity! Yet they will play politics on the matter instead of meting out proper sanctions.

enlady:
So PMB has gone ahead to deduct from the excess crude account without National assembly approval? This is wrong.
Why did the executive wait till the US deadline was approaching before hurriedly making payment. This approval from Trump's administration to buy the aircrafts was given since last year? Why didn't PMB follow due process in securing National assembly approval since last year? He is now writing to inform them after doing the deed
This is unconstitutional and impeachable offence.

but dull and fear fear national assembly who have been intimidated to submission will not have the gut nor the balls to do anything.

I can see why they are busy intimidating the outspoken senators to put fear in them before delivering the letter, government of the scam by the Scam and for the scam.

You are right. Honestly this Apc govt operates like witchcraft. They have black mailed the senators before Nigerians so that they can carry out this deceptive act.

dignity33:
I can see why they are busy intimidating the outspoken senators to put fear in them before delivering the letter, government of the scam by the Scam and for the scam.

enlady:
So PMB has gone ahead to deduct from the excess crude account without National assembly approval? This is wrong.
Why did the executive wait till the US deadline was approaching before hurriedly making payment. This approval from Trump's administration to buy the aircrafts was given since last year? Why didn't PMB follow due process in securing National assembly approval since last year? He is now writing to inform them after doing the deed
This is unconstitutional and impeachable offence.

The ECA is unconstitutional so what is unconstitutional in deducting the money?. No President has, can or will ever be impeached on ECA.

maybe we nigerians were wrong for critizing this deal...

question is will they even deliver them...??

they could come up with another tori to dont deliver them the way south africa did....

i wouldnt buy anything from western nations....

we bought from pakistan,and pakistanis even sent their own for us for training before the delivery arrives....

americans dont even want us to learn the technologie....

i dont understand you blacks...why do you still trust whites soo much although they always treat una bad....??

why.....??

Is this not the opportunity we have been waiting for to impeach this evil man?

SalamRushdie:
Is this not the opportunity we have been waiting for to impeach this evil man?

thats all you easterners care about abi....??

then cancel the deal....we dont give a damn....

but buhari will be reelected....

How long are going to tolerate this levels of fraud and incompetence for God's sake!
This man does not deserve to appear in any further ballot in Nigeria.
His missteps,misyarns,corruption,lies,bigotry and unprecedented incompetence has become unbearable!!

challenges of been a 3rd world nation.

GoodGovernance:
Is anticipatory approval constitutional?

Lawyers please enlighten us.

Otherwise,impeachement loading........

It is not constitutional. However, I won't blame the president much considering the circumstances. The fact that the money was paid directly into the US government treasury and not to middle men also gives some level of confidence. It is now left for the national assembly to regularise the president's anticipatory approval by making provisions for it in the 2018 budget as requested by the president.

enlady:
So PMB has gone ahead to deduct from the excess crude account without National assembly approval? This is wrong.
Why did the executive wait till the US deadline was approaching before hurriedly making payment. This approval from Trump's administration to buy the aircrafts was given since last year? Why didn't PMB follow due process in securing National assembly approval since last year? He is now writing to inform them after doing the deed
This is unconstitutional and impeachable offence.

So you want him to be waiting for those useless legislators to be dancing on the approval until the end of the deadline, just as they are doing to the 2018 budget proposal since last year? The money has been paid already, let them do their worst.

SternProphet:


The ECA is unconstitutional so what is unconstitutional in deducting the money?. No President has, can or will ever be impeached on ECA.

You dey mind them, ECA that was president Jonathan's and his cronies pocket money account!

Giving excuses for misappropriation of funds?
Does this man think we are stupid?

Pepsi101:
Giving excuses for misappropriation of funds?

Does this man think we are stupid?

It is impossible to misappropriate funds that hasn't been previously appropriated.

GoodGovernance:
Is anticipatory approval constitutional?

Lawyers please enlighten us.

Otherwise,impeachement loading........

They're using plenty grammar and writing long epistle in the hope of confusing us! Ordinarily, this would be a impeachable offence, but this is Nigeria we're talking about here so i'm not holding my breath!

Can someone remind me what Senator Oduah did when she was Aviation minister that the very same peeps supporting this failed gov't forced GEJs hand to sack her? Can someone remind me what these hateful APC retards accuse GEJ of doing with the ECA?