Leadership (Abuja)
Iyobosa Iwugiaren and Andrew Oota
7 November 2009
Abuja — The federal government yesterday explained why utility vehicles attached to the former Head of State and two-time presidential candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) General Muhammadu Buhari, were withdrawn.
The presidency said it was normal to allocate vehicles to all former presidents and replace such vehicles when the need arose. leadership had exclusively reported yesterday (Friday) November 6, 2009 that the federal government had withdrawn utility vehicles attached to the former Head of State. In a statement by the presidency signed by Salisu Na'Inna Dambatta, deputy director (Information) to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, the presidency explained what led to its action.
"The attention of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation (SGF) Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, has been drawn to a newspaper publication insinuating that a car attached to former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari was withdrawn and that the payment of his pension has been stopped , for political reasons", the statement stated. "It is normal to allocate vehicles to all former presidents and replace such vehicles when the need arises. In line with that practice, General Buhari's vehicle was replaced in 2008 with a new one".
The presidency also provided insight into the issue of pension the former Head of State was entitled to. "With respect to the issue of pension, the truth is that all former presidents are entitled to a welfare package, including pension, medical care, yearly vacation abroad, offices and their maintenance, among others.
"Some of these welfare packages are paid as and when due, while some are paid on a quarterly basis. All benefitting former Heads of State are treated equally. For avoidance of doubt, government has never stopped General Buhari's pension", the federal government explained.
The minister of Information and Communications, Professor Dora Akunyili, also told Leadership Weekend yesterday that she was not aware of the withdrawal of utility vehicles and other benefits due to the former Head of State.
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Nigerians at home and in diaspora would like to know how much of the nations money is spent on emoluments and other welfare support for the colony of former presidents and other retired senior officials in the country.
For too long , this public expenditure has been hidden under the carpet to those whose money fund these "social welfare" for the rich. The colony of retired army generals and ex-presidents in NIgeria can be totally dispropotionate to the population becasue of the circumstances that created them . Think about how many generals emerge from every millitary overthrow each time there is one during Nigeria's "dark" days . In the seventies, every "general"had petroleum allocation or contract as a matter of right . These men looted the nation out of reason to the indignation of the general citizenry. I remember when the vice chancellor of the University of Lagos went cap in hand to beg for partial allocation of petroleum marketing similar to those enjoyed by the military generals to fund the institution which was then in dire stress financially,he got nothing .
I have difficulty to understand the rationale for continual subsidy to very affluent section of the community whose wealth is so enormous that about six percent of them control close to eighty percent of total national wealth. The action of these men is the origin of Nigerias ebedded corrupt environment today.
They have stacks of Nigeria's money exported to banks everywhere arround the globe. The country need to know how much is expended from public purse to fund them and perhaps have public debate about it . In a nation with massive developement need , the local schools and rural sectors may benefit from this waste to fund the haves at the expense of the have nots. WAKE UP NIGERIA.
It is good news to hear that all benefitting former Heads of state are treated equally. It is time to stop reporting half truth that could scare those of us in diaspora.
We cannot afford a clash among our leaders for where elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers.