The Federal Government has justified the reason why President Muhammadu Buhari approved the sum of 1.15 billion nairas for the Niger Republic.
It said Buhari authorized the purchase of 10 vehicles at N1,145,000,000 for the Niger Republic to boost the country’s security with Nigeria.
Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, announced this while addressing State House correspondents after the week’s hybrid Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
It was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa yesterday in Abuja.
A popular social media influencer, David Hundeyin, had, in one of his posts “exposed” the approval, which was given by President Buhari on February 28, 2022, drawing reactions from Nigerians.
Reacting to a question on the matter during the briefing, Mrs. Ahmed said: “Let me just say that, over time, Nigeria has had to support its neighbors, especially immediate neighbors, to enhance their capacity to secure their countries as it relates to us.
“This is not the first time that Nigeria has supported Niger, Cameroon, or Chad. The President assesses what is required, based on the request of their Presidents, and such requests are approved and the interventions provided are to enhance their capacity to protect their territory as it relates to security, also to Nigeria.
“Nigerians have a right to ask questions, but also the President has a responsibility to assess what is in the best interests of the country. I cannot question that decision myself.
“I have said this is not the first time that Nigeria has provided intervention to our neighbors, following an assessment that it is in the best interest of Nigeria to do so.”
