Nigerians have taken to social media to express their outrage, after the Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, confirmed the procurement of vehicles worth N1.14billion to the Republic of Niger.
The minister confirmed this during a press briefing after Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
According to Ahmed, the vehicles were to aid Niger in the acquisition of some operational vehicles.
She argued that even though Nigerians have the right to question the rationale for such donation, Buhari, who approved the purchase, also has the right to make his own assessment of situations and act accordingly.
However, Nigerians on Twitter are reacting on the succor sent to the Niger Republic.
@tochizkc said, “Buhari approves N1.2 billion to aid Niger Republic buy cars to tackle security situations in that country. I feel violated, I feel insulted and I feel hurt badly.”
@Hon_Tenacious said, “Since 2015 Buhari has been giving away Nigeria money to Niger. Imagine if Atiku comes in as president in 2023 you know which neighboring country Nigeria money will be moving next to. We are in real mess already.”
@S_mattahorn said, “It is in Nigeria’s best interest to spend 1.4bn to purchase cars for Niger Republic according to Minister of finance. Nigeria isn’t a real place.”
@JeSuisPrecious said, “Asuu is on strike. Salaries are owed. Pensioners can’t even take care of their bills. Yet, you donate to Afghanistan. You dash money 2 Niger to buy Cars? Are Nigerians not really seeing what’s going on here? Are we being enslaved in our own country?”
@Im_sandybelle tweeted these, “Nigeria is where it is today mainly because of poorly planned expenditures. Nigeria be acting like the sugar daddy to Niger republic.”
@timi_omi also tweeted that, “So Buhari indeed approved N1.4 billion to buy vehicles For Niger Republic! ASUU went on strike Feb 14, Buhari signed out 1.4 BILLION naira for Niger Republic on Feb 22.”
