President Muhammadu Buhari has come under fire from the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) for giving the Republic of Niger 10 SUVs valued N1.14 billion.
According to InsightnaijaTV, Zainab Ahmed, the Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, claimed that Buhari must sanction N1.14 billion to buy 10 Toyota Land Cruiser V8 SUVs for the Nigerien government “in the best interests of the country” on Wednesday.
HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, expressed his disappointment with the development in a statement issued on Thursday.
Onwubiko stated that the president’s actions have demonstrated where his allegiances lie.
The statement reads: “The group said the action like many others is antithetical to the oaths of office sworn to by President Muhammadu Buhari because he has allowed his personal interest to undermine National interest.
“The fresh donation of SUV vehicles to the Niger Republic where President Buhari has cousins is evidence of where his allegiance, patriotism and loyalty lie.
“Any wonder then that terrorists from Niger Republic come into Nigeria in droves to kill, maim, destroy and cart away billions of cash as ransom back to develop Niger Republic and the President does next to nothing.
“Buhari must clear his patriotism amidst allegations of helping to build Niger Republic whilst accusations of Niger’s involvement in terrorism in North West heightens.
“It is condemnable that whilst Nigerians grapple with so many challenges including poverty, unemployment, terrorism, amongst others that need financial intervention, President Buhari finds his priority in Niger Republic, even at a time when the Academic Staff Union of Universities has been on strike for over six months with students of tertiary institutions at home.
“And to think that ASUU’s demand is N1.1trn and Buhari splurged what would have been part of the money on Niger Republic.
“The romance between Niger Republic and Nigeria is more evident as President Mohammed Bazoum honoured the Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, with a national award on security in Niger Republic. What an irony!
“According to the United States’ Department of State, ‘Niger is the only country in the world with ISIS-affiliate presence on three borders.”
