Senate sets Buhari’s letter aside to see embattled Melaye in hospital

The Senate on Wednesday abruptly ended it’s sitting, to enable senators visit their colleague, Dino Melaye who is recuperating at the National Hospital, Abuja.

The lawmakers needed their sitting after reading out a letter from President Muhammadu Buhari, in which he admitted, that he single-handedly ordered withdrawal of a total of $496,374.470 from the Excess Crude Account, without the knowledge of the National Assembly, for the purchase of Tucano aircraft from the United States of America (USA).

They were yet to take a position on the letter, or it’s content before adjourning plenary to visit Melaye.

The president had recently come under fire from a cross section of Nigerians from abusing his powers in ordering the withdrawal and spending of such amount without appropriation by the National Assembly as required by law.

The development had led to a summon, by the senate, on the Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun and Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele and Minister for Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, who were ordered to explain the authority under which they effected the withdrawal and spending.

The raging controversy over the withdrawal had forced a fierce defence by acolytes and those sympathetic to the president who had argued that no such expenditure was made.

However, in his letter to the Senate, President Buhari admitted ordering the payments and argued it was part of the $1 billion which he had agreed with the Council of State and National Economic Council to withdraw from the Excess Crude Account and spend on security equipment.

President Buhari explained in the letter that he ordered the expenditure in anticipation that the Senate will not decline his request to do so.

Read also: 2019: 24 APC govs endorse Buhari, may back Oshiomhole chairmanship bid

He however asked the Senate to build the spent $496m into the 2018 budget which is yet to be passed into law.

The letter titled ‘Purchase of Super Tucano Aircraft From The United States Government’ reads:

“I wish to draw the attention of the Senate to the ongoing security emergencies in the country. These challenges were discussed with the state governors and subsequently at the meeting of the National Economic Council of 14 December 2017 where the resolution was passed, with the council approving that up to $1billion may be released and utilized from the Excess crude Account to address the situation. Subsequent before this approval, we have prepared a comprehensive schedule of all the requirement of each of the security services for presentation to the National Assembly for consideration.

“It will be recalled that for a number of years, Nigeria has been in discussion with the United Sates government for the purchase of Super Tucano aircraft under a direct government to government arrangement. Recently, approval was granted by the United States government but with a deadline, within which part payment must be made otherwise the contract will relapse.

“In the expectation that the National Assembly will have no objection to the purchase of these highly specialized aircraft, which is critical to national security, I granted anticipatory approval to the release of $496,370,470. This was paid directly to the treasury of the United States government.

“I am therefore writing seeking approval of the senate for the sum of $496,370.470 (equivalent of N151,394,421,035) to be included in the 2018 Appropriation bill which the National Assembly is currently finalizing. The balance for the requirement for critical operational equipment is still being collated from the different security services and will be presented in the form of a supplementary appropriation bill in due course.

“The Honourable minister for Defence and other appropriate officers will be available to provide further details as may be required.

“While thanking the Distinguished Senate for the usual cooperation, please accept Mr. President the assurances of my highest regard.”

 

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