Nigerians lashed out at President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday for approving the supply of 10 Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles at the sum of N1.4billion to the Niger Republic government.
The disclosure was made by an investigative journalist, David Hundeyin, who tweeted that he obtained a document from the Budget Office in Nigeria which showed that the President made the approval for the purchase of the vehicles to the neighbouring country.
Hundeyin also attached a picture of the document to validate the claim that the President approved the release of the money to a company, Kaura Motors Nigeria Limited, on February 28, 2022.
The document read in part, “Being release of funds in the sum of N1,145,000,000 to the office of the Accountant General of the Federation IFO Kaura Motors Nig. Limited for supply of 10 numbers Toyota Land Cruiser V8 Vehicles to the Republic of Nigeria vide Mr President approval on page 83 dated 28/02/2022.”
Meanwhile, while defending the purchase of the vehicles, the Federal Government said that the move was to enable the country to safeguard its territory in the best interest of Nigeria’s security.
Fielding questions from journalists after the Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, said it was not the first time Nigeria was supporting her neighbours.
“This is not the first time that Nigeria has supported Niger, Cameroon or Chad, and the President makes an assessment as to what is required, based on the request of their President and such requests are approved and the interventions provided are to enhance their capacity to protect their own territory as it relates to security also to Nigeria,” Ahmed said.
However, angry Nigerians have taken to Twitter to express their displeasure, a user, @Su_providence tweeted, “N1.4billion for the purchase of 10 Land Cruiser V8 vehicles to fight insecurity in the Niger Republic, the same thing Nigeria is plagued with. ASUU should just continue their strike for extra 3years until their demands are met. I can authoritatively confirm that there’s money.”
Another user, @nellycee02 said, “What is Buhari’s interest in Niger? What is the economic value of Niger to Nigeria? Train corridor too pass enter Niger,🤔🤫Abi true true the man really come from there? bcs I don’t gerrit?“
An influencer, @EmekaMba tweeted, “If truly that Buhari is a Nigerian, he will never have preferred to take care of other countries more than his country…..ASUU is on strike, students are roaming the streets, and Insecurity is on the highest level in Nigeria but HE is more concerned to secure NR. This is not ordinary.”
Written by Adekunle Biodun