Jonathan's Govt Randomly Abused Trust In Billions Spent On Arms – Buhari

BEVERLY HILLS, December 10, (THEWILL) – President Muhammadu Buhari has accused the Goodluck Jonathan administration of “several abuse of trust” in the billions of naira that were spent in procuring equipment for the military's fight against Boko Haram.

The President, who stated this while addressing members of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, regretted that the wanton abuse cost the nation lives and equipment.

He went on to call on the legislature to collaborate with the executive arm of government to secure the country and effectively manage it, stressing that: “There are a lot of obstacles to be crossed. The objectives we have are to secure this country and effectively manage it.”

Noting that the major challenge in the security of the country was the threat posed by the Boko Haram insurgency, he stressed that the leadership of the country had set clear targets toward the re-organisation, retraining and re-equipping the military to neutralize Boko Haram.

Buhari disclosed that his administration had hoped that at the end of the rainy season organised attack would be launched against the insurgents. He added that government had equally raised the morale of the soldiers to tackle the challenge.

He revealed that his administration uncovered that the previous administration expended “billions of naira and hundreds of millions of dollars to acquire military equipment but with several abuses of trust.

“There were abuses of trust and that cost Nigeria a lot of lives and a lot of goodwill'' he stated.

The President regretted that Nigeria, which had earned reputation in the fight against criminal activities and defence of territories abroad, could no longer defend a few local government areas occupied by insurgents.

“I seek your understanding,” he said, urging the legislators to think about the consequences of not acting in tandem with the government as Nigerians were wiser to know those who represent them well.

Buhari stressed that he took the initiative of seeking the collaboration of the international community to be able to win the war against terrorism, adding that Boko Haram's attempt at dividing the country was a miscalculation.

He clarified that the sect's claim to be fighting for Islam was both misleading and working against God, asserting that the group was gradually being decimated and were finding it difficult to recruit while the military was doing well.

In his response, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. 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 grandchildren say about us,'' he said.

Noting 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, Dogara assured that the issue would be handled in the interest of the public.

According to him, “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.”

The Speaker, who insisted that the time to restructure the economy was now, said: “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 stated.