President Muhammadu Buhari has shared with members of the House of Representatives the shocking discovery by his government that billions of naira and hundreds of millions of dollars voted for procurement of weapons, by the Goodluck Jonathan administration, were never bought, leading to a situation where the Nigerian military could not defend a few local councils seized by Boko Haram.
He told the legislators at a dinner on Wednesday night that there were abuses of public trust committed by the Jonathan Administration.
“There were abuses of trust and that cost Nigeria a lot of lives and a lot of goodwill,” he said.
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,” Buhari said.
He 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.”
According to the President 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 on the insurgents adding that government had also raised the morale of the soldiers to tackle the challenge.
He told the legislators to think about the consequences of not acting in tandem with the government policies 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, Mr 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 grand children 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.’’
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. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Stupid old fool.. is he still campaigning...... How much have you spent on traveling from one place to another... We have seen your weakness... Old man...
ReplyDeleteGood talk. May Allah bless Nigeria.Nigerians are wise and watching.let us come together to prepare good living for our children in order not to be running for visa to live in the west.
ReplyDeleteYou are still calling GEJ while the country is grinding under your watch as president
ReplyDeleteDefeating Boko Haram is no longer by December bt at d end of rainy season? Wit all ur said military experience n prowess as a retired Army General?
ReplyDeleteNE ur heading is wrong It was betrayal of trust by de key players in Jonathan Administration dat gave rise to lots of money dat was spent Jonathan like Abacha did not Loot National treasury which is de meaning of ur Heading
ReplyDelete2) PMB is now in power let him give us de change he promised So far he has visited 120countries in de world and 120billion has been spent for miscellaneous etc Wat will happen in 8yrs of his rule financially.
Elections are over time for some action now.
ReplyDeleteNigerians would continue to moan, because no more cash to steal!!!! our institutions has to work, and our integrity and pride must not be judged any longer because of the passport we carry in every border we cross or any airport we approached, we are better than the way we are looked upon, we should be Nigerians, not the persons our leaders have made us be especially the third republic politicians, Children these days knows nothing about making life from decency and transparency, but how to get it at all course/cost no matter what..... Children these days drive their own cars from Secondary schools (YAHOO BOYS) and their parents see it as a normal thing, now jobs are no longer for service but that which we can squeeze into our pockets, I know the present government starting point has been a little bite slow, but the greatest gift to this nation is its ability to stick its balls to do the TSA and BVN; if it is maintained stealing would be regulated and finances would go into building infrastructures, and institutions for citizens of this great nation, is it not a shame that a former governorship like Akpabio who claim to have built a world class state of the art hospital in Uyo his state capital with facility second to none and expert brought from all over the world for all manner of surgeries we were made to understand, a few months ago, he had a light traffic accident in Abuja, he was flown abroad for medical treatment, why was he not taken to his state of the art hospital? We should stop lying to ourselves. With the kind of criticism this new leader has been getting these few months he took over, I think he must be doing something to change the way some persons where going about hurting the entire nation and that is Y, certain person wish he fails, but if what he is doing is for the interest of we the down trodden masses with God on his side he shall succeed!
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