A Former Federal Lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani has alleged that the former President Muhammadu Buhari circumvented the normal process for the importation of Tucano Jets into Nigeria for the Army. He argued that the Military is one of the well funded organization in Nigeria.
He also noted how the former Minister of Finance claimed that Army Chiefs often bypass the budgetary process and request additional funds directly from the President. He argued that corruption, not funding, is the main issue affecting the security agencies. He finds it puzzling that despite the security agencies’ budget being almost fully funded (95%), those on the frontline are still complaining about being underarmed.
He said in an interview with TVC From 5:52, ”The military or security budget is one of the well funded budgets and I think it is second to INEC and some other agencies of Government. At a certain time during the last administration, Buhari circumvented due process for the importation of Tucano Jets into Nigeria. And one of the former Minister of Finance said that apart from the money she approved within the budget, the Army Chiefs go to the President with a file for them to approve for more money.
So I don’t think Finance is the problem for our security agencies, corruption is actually the problem. I can’t see a situation where the budget of the security agencies is almost funded to 95% and then those who are in the Frontline are complaining of being under armed. The budget of Niger Republic, Chad, Cameroon and Benin Republic is less than the half of the budget of the Nigerian Army. But they don’t have the problem that we are having here in terms of security.”….Vïew–Môre