For the second time, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has taken a swipe at former president, Muhammadu Buhari’s management of Nigeria’s economy, saying that the current administration inherited a bankrupt country that was responsible for the budgetary constraints.
According to him, the revenue generated by the Bola Tinubu-led administration is being used to repay what was taken from the country.
The NSA stated this on Monday in Abuja at the Chief of Defence Intelligence Annual Conference 2023.
Ribadu, however, said despite the financial constraint that has affected budgetary allocations, the Federal Government would do everything within its power to ensure that there is a robust and viable defence management and apparatus in the country.
He said, “I assure you that the Federal Government will not rest on its oars in ensuring a robust and viable defence management and security apparatus to address contemporary challenges even in the face of enormous budgetary constraints.
“Yes, we’re facing budgetary constraints. It is okay for me to tell you. Fine, it is important for you to know that we have inherited a very difficult situation, literally a bankrupt country, no money, to a point where we can say that all the money we’re getting now, we’re paying back what was taken. It is serious!
“But this administration is doing its best to meet our requirements, particularly the armed forces, and I believe that you leaders will be able to testify to that,” the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission told the gathering.”
Recall that in August, Ribadu had said President Tinubu inherited a challenging economic situation and that most of the problems Nigeria is facing were not created by him.
Speaking with QUEST TIMES, a top APC chieftain said “it seems as if Ribadu has some personal issues with former president Muhammadu Buhari. That’s my interpretation of this repeatedly pursued line. I might be wrong.”
Aside Ribadu, other APC chieftains have also blamed the former president for the worsening economic situation in the country.
In August, the senator representing the Edo North Senatorial District, Adams Oshiomhole said President Bola Tinubu inherited a terrible economic situation from the past administration.
Also in August, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun said the Tinubu administration inherited a bad economy with an unacceptably high rate of unemployment.