The Federal Government has confirmed that it approved the purchase of vehicles worth N1.4 billion for neighboring Niger Republic to tackle insecurity.
An investigative Journalist, David Hundeyin, had tweeted about a memo showing that President Muhammadu Buhari approved the sum of N1.4billion for the purchase of vehicles for a foreign country, Niger Republic.
The government action took place despite the country’s inability to meet the demands of university lecturers who have shut down public universities for over five months.
Nigeria is also battling soaring poverty levels, unemployment and escalating insecurity.
The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, gave the confirmation on Wednesday, explaining that providing intervention to neighboring Niger Republic is not new and is the prerogative of President Muhammadu Buhari who approved the purchase.
According to her, President Buhari, whose actions she cannot question, has the right to make his own assessment of situations and give directives accordingly.
She added that the financial support, which is primarily for the purpose of enhancing capacity to protect their territory and based on a request by the Nigerien Government, is also in the best interest of the country.
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The minister, who was speaking after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by the president, responded to questions regarding documents released on social media, which showed that the president approved the release of the funds on February 22, 2022, for Niger Republic.