₦airaland Forum

Documents expose how Buhari awarded N12 billion Ruga contracts to dubious, unregistered companies


The president suspended the controversial Ruga policy in July 2019, but not before the country had been plunged into financial liabilities.

Following nationwide outrage, President Muhammadu Buhari suspended the controversial Ruga policy in July 2019.

The decision proved an instant public perception lifeline for the president because it was widely seen as saving the country from another round of needless ethnic and tribal animosity — which the Ruga programme was fast degenerating into prior to its suspension.

Many were also pleased to finally see an urgent reconsideration from a leader with a reputation so rigid and sluggish he acknowledged the label of ‘baba go slow’ from his critics.

What a large chunk of the population did not know, however, was that the president’s decision came at a substantial cost to the national treasury: N12 billion.


A Groundwork Laid

In 2019, Premium Times reported that President Buhari sacked Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo from his role as the head of an inclusive committee working on resolving the deadly conflict between farmers and herdsmen in the northern and central parts of the country.

Mr. Buhari took the decision based on the recommendation of his departed chief of staff Abba Kyari. Mr. Kyari had intercepted a memo from Mr. Osinbajo to Mr. Buhari, in which the vice-president updated his principal on the progress of the livestock transformation committee and requested funding to execute a long-time proposal that would effectively resolve the decades-long crisis that has killed thousands.

Specifically, Mr. Osinbajo had requested for funds to commence resettling and compensation of people displaced by the farmers-herdsmen violence that devastated many parts of the country for many years — only recently abating for the longest stretch since Mr Buhari took office in 2015.

Mr. Osinbajo’s request for N22 billion in the April 12, 2019, memo was made in respect to the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) that Mr. Buhari had delegated him to lead. State governors were also part of the NLTP, which was coordinated by the National Economic Council (NEC).

Thirty-five billion naira was initially budgeted for the activities relating to the resolution of the farmers-herdsmen conflict. Contracts worth were awarded for Ruga projects (construction of ranches for Fulani herders along designated grazing routes).

The memo, which was addressed directly to the president as procedurally accepted of such communications, was soon hijacked by Mr. Kyari, who advised the president to disregard its prayers because they were either premature or entirely unnecessary.

He said the N12 billion that was budgeted for the Ruga projects had not been fully utilised, therefore the funding for resettling of those displaced in the conflict areas should be held back for an indefinite period of time.

Mr. Kyari also asked Mr. Buhari to disband the NLTP altogether and appropriate all its functions under the National Food Security Council (NFSC). The president is the head of the council.

Without seeking Mr. Osinbajo’s opinion on the observations of Mr. Kyari, Mr. Buhari endorsed the recommendations of his chief of staff, effectively undermining his own vice-president.

https://peoples-gazette.com/exclusive-documents-expose-how-buhari-awarded-n12-billion-ruga-contracts-to-dubious-unregistered-companies/



Lalasticlala

Mr INTEGRITY!!!

The desperation to reward those who help oust Jonathan continues.

Mr Kyari is dead and Ruga is no more.....end of discussion.

We are in 2021, why bring up issue that is dead since 2019.

Not aware, shocked or surprised with the non-existent office of the national economic adviser which is another conduit pipe for corruption right under the presidency.

What about the stupendous drainage of scarce resources wherein the NNPC which has not processed any drop of crude oil alongside unremitted earnings, but is consuming billions & trillions of naira under your charge as the minster of petroleum?

Not forgetting how AGF Malami dubiously paid
lawyers undeserving payment despite them being on the payroll of government during repatriation of the "Abacha didnt stole a dime" loot under Buhari's govt.Now this corruption again among many.What a government.

Fight against corruption indeed

There's nothing as dangerous as a figure head leader who appears to be deficient in cognition.

All manners of actions will be taken in his name by some unscrupulous aides.

Here we are!

A leader that cannot be held accountable. Is that one a leader. Buhari has times without number shown his lack of integrity in contract management

Nbotee:
Mr INTEGRITY!!!

...my black ass!

thebosstrevor1:
Mr Kyari is dead and Ruga is no more.....end of discussion.

We are in 2021, why bring up issue that is dead since 2019.

Oh why bring up d fact dat the President reportedly blew 12billion of tax payers money? U ediots are always quick to blame the previous govt for the colossal failure in all sectors of dis govt but at the mention of a misappropriation dat directly involved the President, the issue is suddenly dead since abi? Thunder must begin to locate Una one afta the other

If Buhari contest for a 3rd term, some people will vote fall on themselves to vote for him