Corruption in Nigeria has taken a new height. From stealing few millions
appropriated for road project to stealing multibillions and trillions
appropriated for the survival of citizens. We have reached a stage where
some people elevate the political aspiration of their principal and
benefactor over the lives and survival of the poor members of the
society. As if that is not bad enough, there is now an army of career
sycophants and prospective sycophant from among the masses(victims) that
are ever ready to "defend" the perpetrators of this wicked act. A lot
have been exposed since #DasukiGate started, and a lot yet to be
revealed. What happened to the trillions spent for defence and managed
by Dasuki and Defence minister(s) during GEJ's era? Why should we
concern ourselves with meagre N650billio($2.2b) while leaving out
trillions that was majorly managed by the same player(Dasuki)?
Entire Defence Budget of GEJ's Era Should Be probed...
With
the revelation coming from the #DasukiGate, it appears that more is yet
to be heard about the corruption practices that went unabated in the
defence sector under the administration of Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.
In Yar'adua's era, the highest Nigeria spent on Defence budget was
N444.6 billion in 2008; That was the peak of militancy in the Niger
Delta. His 2009 and 2010 defence budgets were N233billion and
N264billion respectively. As President, Dr Jonathan's first defence
budget shoot to N348billion in 2011. From 2012, the defence budget
sky-rocketed by 300% to N922 billion(approx N1trillion). It was
increased to N1.055 trillion in 2013 and N1.17trillion in 2014.
Coincidentally, the periods of "trillion" budget were all presided by
Colonel Sambo Dasuki as National Security Adviser.
2012 Defence Budget Rivals All Yar'adua's Defence Budget:
It
is instructive to note that the total money appropriated for defence by
Jonathan administration in 2012 alone almost equal ALL the three years
of Ya'adua administration defence budget. In terms of figure, while
Yar'adua administration spent a combined N941.6 billion on Defence in
his three years in office, Jonathan government spent N922 billion in
2012 alone(difference of less than N20billion). Did we enjoy better
security?
Huge Spending Can't Be Justified...
The
total appropriation for defence under the Jonathan's administration
between 2011 and 2014 is about N3.4 trillion. But can anybody beat his
chest to say that what is on ground represent 30% of N3.4trillion? How
much was the real allocation of soldiers' on the theatre? How many
fighting equipment was bought?
If such money was holistically
spent, I don't think there will be any way to justify the spread of
ragtag boko haram that was cut to size by a team of police and army
within three days in July 2009 to a monster that resurrected in 2010,
killing over fifteen thousand Nigerians, kidnapping over two thousands,
rendering thousands of people widows/widowers, orphans, childless and
homeless, taking territories, and sending gallant men and women of the
security forces to their untimely death.
#Arms Probe: Commendable But Not Enough...
As
much as I commend, appreciate and support the government in the ongoing
$2.2 billion arms fraud, it is important to state that the so-called
arms fraud is meagre in real sense and does not represent justice to all
the direct and indirect victims of Boko haram insurgency both dead and
alive. Nigerians want to see all those that participated in the looting
of the resources meant to secure the lives and property of the common
man under whatever guise and irrespective of societal status to be
brought to justice. Secondary and tertiary beneficiaries of the loot
must not be spared either. All monies even to the last kobo must be
recovered. May God grant the government the wisdom.
A National Shame and Pain...
It
is shameful and disgraceful that some people have lost every sense of
humanity. It is more of a disgrace that sycophants are always available
to defend these alleged criminals. It is however, painful that the
country had to lose precious lives and properties because of the greed
of some individuals within the corridors of power.
Finally, Dr
Goodluck Jonathan need to explain his role or otherwise in the arms
fraud (and any subsequent probe). Nigerians are waiting...
May God Bless Us All and Bless Nigeria
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