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From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said that the recent concerns by Senate Chief Whip, Tahir Monguno, raising concerns on the effect of poor implementation of national budget on security, in the country, has vindicated the opposition on Federal Government approach to securing the country.
Atiku, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, said Monguno intervention exposed the dangerous consequences of government’s alleged fiscal mismanagement and help explain, in part, why insecurity continues to fester across Nigeria.
Monguno, during a recent engagement between the Senate and the Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele and other top officials of the Federal Government in charge of the economy, had decried the poor implementation of national budget.
The Sebate Whip reportedly noted that all the security agencies that have appeared before the parliament has complained of zero releases for capital projects.
The former Vice President noted that “for months, the APC dismissed every concern raised by the opposition about budget implementation, security funding and fiscal opacity as politics. Today, one of its own ranking senators has asked the very questions Nigerians have been asking.
“Senator Monguno did not merely question budget implementation. He questioned why duly enacted budgets are allegedly not being faithfully implemented. He questioned why trillions of naira generated by the Federation are reportedly being retained instead of being distributed in accordance with the Constitution.
“Most disturbing of all, he questioned why critical security agencies have reportedly not received capital releases despite the worsening security crisis confronting our nation.
“These are not allegations from the opposition. They are grave constitutional questions raised by a distinguished senator of the ruling party.”
Atiku, who holds the traditional title of Zege Mule U Tiv II (the Great Shelter and Protective Umbrella of the Tiv Nation) said he could not remain silent while innocent Nigerians continue to perish under a government that appears to have normalised bloodshed.
He added that if security agencies are denied the funds appropriated by law to procure equipment, strengthen intelligence, improve logistics and support operations, government cannot escape responsibility for the consequences.
According to him, “every massacre should compel Nigerians to ask one simple question: were our security agencies given the resources approved by law to prevent it?
“How do you expect our gallant security personnel to defeat terrorists, bandits and kidnappers when those responsible for equipping them are allegedly withholding the very funds appropriated for that purpose?”
“Since the Tinubu administration assumed office, independent conflict monitors have estimated that well over 17,000 Nigerians have lost their lives in violent attacks, while thousands more have been abducted by terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements.
“These are not mere statistics. They are fathers, mothers, children, farmers, students and breadwinners whose lives have been cut short. Behind every number is a family condemned to a lifetime of grief.”
Furthermore, he stated that President Bola Tinubu, who as opposition leader,
built much of his political identity on criticising President Goodluck Jonathan over insecurity, now presides over an even more troubling security situation.
“As an opposition leader, President Tinubu repeatedly declared that the first responsibility of any government was the protection of lives and property. He spared no criticism of the Jonathan administration whenever terrorists struck,” Atiku noted.
