Tobias Sylvester
A former senator representing Kaduna Central district, Shehu Sani has questioned the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to buy luxury cars for Niger Republic.
Buhari Purchase Cars For Niger Republic Government
KanyiDaily recalls that Nigerian journalist, David Hundeyin had published a document showing how Buhari approved N1,145,000,000 for the purchase of 10 Toyota Land Cruiser V8 vehicles for government officials in Niger Republic.
According to the documents, Buhari through the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, awarded the contract to KAURA MOTORS NIG. LIMITED on February 25, 2022.
Reacting to the outrage generated by the action, Mrs. Ahmed argued that even though Nigerians have the right to question the rationale for such donation, Buhari, who approved the purchase, also had the right to make his own assessment on situations and act accordingly.
The minister, who spoke on Wednesday after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by Buhari in Abuja, said Nigeria has a policy of assisting its neighbouring countries.
Shehu Sani Questions Buhari’s Approval Of Funds
Reacting in a series of tweets, the former lawmaker questioned how the purchase of vehicles for the Niger Republic Government escaped the oversight of the National Assembly.
He wrote: “The question is,how comes the purchase of vehicles for the Government of Niger Republic escaped the oversight functions of the National Assembly.
“If actually the nation’s foreign reserve stands at $15 Billion and not the figure reported by the CBN,then they have asphyxiated,dehydrated and wrecked the economy of the country.
“Nigeria has an obligation to support her neighbours namely Benin,Niger,Chad and Cameroun for regional security and our own National security interest.The Federal Government Purchase and donations of luxury Toyota SUVs to Niger Republic doesn’t fall in line with the above.”
KanyiDaily recalls that in 2020, President Buhari had also approved a contract of $1.96 billion for the construction of a railway from Kano to Niger Republic.
When questioned about the project, Buhari said his decision to build rail lines from Kano to Niger was to allow his family members easily have access to Nigeria.
