Saraki Says $1bn Insurgency Fund Won’t Be Disbursed Until Due Process Followed

Senate President Bukola Saraki says the $1 billion approved by the governors will not be spend until “due process” is followed.

Saraki gave the assurance during Senate plenary on Thursday after Ike Ekeweremadu, deputy senate president, informed the lawmakers that they were supposed to debate the issue.

Recall that following a meeting of the National Economic Council last Wednesday, governors had approved the withdrawal of $1bn from the Excess Crude Account to fight Boko Haram insurgents.

Ekweremadu wondered why the issue was not listed on the order paper for Thursday’s debate.

Bur Saraki assured the upper legislative chamber that the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government does not spend funds without due process.

He assured the senators that the money would not be spent until they debate the matter.

Senator Samuel Anyanwu, lawmaker representing Imo east, had raised the issue during plenary on Wednesday, but the senator was absent when Ekweremadu raised the issue on the floor of the red chamber on Thursday.

Saraki explained that the motion would not be taken because Anyanwu was absent.

“As you can see, he is not here. So, we have to put it down. Next legislative day is when we resume. It would be the first item on the order paper,” he said.

“We cannot take it when the person is not here and it’s a very important motion that needs to be delivered very well.

“It cannot be delegated. We would take it. I assure you that we would take it… our party does not do things like that; we would not spend money without following due process. I am assuring you that the money would not be spent until we come back and debate it. Leader, I hope you heard the commitment I made on behalf of all of us.”