Buhari Told To Demand Immediate Refund Of N1.14billion From Niger Republic

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to demand for a refund of the N1.14billion given to the Niger Republic for the purchase of vehicles.

Naija News recalls that on Wednesday the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed confirmed that the federal government had approved the sum of 1.14billion for the supply of 10 Toyota Land Cruiser V8 vehicles to the Republic of Niger.

She said “Let me just say that over time, Nigeria has had to support its neighbours, especially the immediate neighbours, to enhance their capacity to secure their countries as it relates to us. This is not the first time that Nigeria has assisted the Niger Republic, Cameroon or Chad.

“The President makes an assessment as to what is required based on the request of their Presidents. Such requests are approved and interventions are provided. It is to enhance their capacity to protect their countries, as it relates to security and also to Nigeria.”

However, this decision did not sit well with Nigerians, especially in the face of the nearly six-month strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

Reacting to the development, SERAP took to Twitter to call for an immediate refund.

The body wrote: “The Buhari administration must immediately ask Niger Republic authorities to refund the N1.4 billion approved for them to buy vehicles, and use the money to offset the funding for ASUU, so those poor children can go back to school”.