Shehu Sani To Buhari: Do Not Give Out Bailout To Anyone

A former Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Shehu Sani, on Wednesday, called on President Muhammadu Buhari not to give financial support to anyone in the name of tackling insecurity.

Sani rather urged Buhari to fund and equip the military, the police and other security agencies to be able to fully tackle the security challenges confronting the nation.

He tweeted, “Dear President, don’t give out any bailout funds to anyone,rather fund and equip the military, the police and other security agencies to be able to fully tackle our chronic security challenges.”

The former senator did not mention the name of anyone, but his call may not be unconnected to the request for bailout made by the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) to Buhari on Tuesday.

The governors made the submission at a meeting between President Buhari, members of NGF Security Council and security chiefs at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo also attended the meeting, which was held via videoconferencing.

Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, in his remark during the meeting, had called on the President to consider a bailout for states, especially as governors allowed the federal government to withdraw $1 billion from the Excess Crude Account for the procurement of weapons to fight insecurity in the country.

The governors had in April also urged the Central Bank of Nigeria to suspend all fund deductions from states and restructure their debt repayments to help safeguard the liquidity of state governments and mitigate the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic ravaging the economy.

Buhari’s Spokesman, Garba Shehu had said in a statement after the meeting of the governors with his principal: “In their submissions anchored by their Chairman, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, and Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, the Governors highlighted the problems of poverty, unemployment, the trust deficit between the military and civilian populations and the inflow of small arms into the country,” Shehu wrote.

“The Governors also pointed to the problem of coordination among military and security chiefs and played up their own security roles which included USD1 billion they allowed the President to withdraw from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) for weapons procurement two years ago.

“They, therefore, urged the President to consider a “bailout” for security for the States in view of the enormity of the resources they now expend in support of the military and the police,” Shehu said.

Nigeria’s security situation has continued to deteriorate with the onslaught of Boko Haram terrorists in the North East, banditry in the North West, kidnappings in the South and herdsmen attacks in the middle belt.

As a result of the security situation in the country, the United States Government recently asked its citizens not to travel to many states in Nigeria.

Nigeria continues to witness worsening insecurity despite the defence sector having a large chunk of the country’s budget since 2015.

The $1bn withdrawn from the ECA was separate from the normal budgetary provisions for the defence sector.

The military and the police have continued to complain of underfunding, inadequate manpower and equipment, despite the monetary provisions.