Welcome back. It's the breakfast and plus CVF car. We set for a first major conversation this morning Of course, I guess standing by to do justice to this topic fee socioeconomic rights and accountability project syrup has demanded President Buhari or has urged President Buhari to demand a refund of the 1.145 billion Given to the share Republic for the purchase of official vehicles. Well, this amount of money was not given to the share but it was Approved to be used in buying vehicles for Niger Republic now syrup as they're called meet this demand vides verified Twitter account on Wednesday midst of plans in a permit on Wednesday as well after the federal executive council meeting she had to face the press and She confirmed that the federal government had approved 1.4 Billion now for the supply of 10 Twitter long cruiser vehicles of V8 vehicles to the red Niger Republic and she also gave Reasons the minister said that Nigeria had always been providing such interventions to neighboring countries Including Chan, Cameroon and Niger Including other countries explained that President Buhari Reserved the right to take such decisions in the interest of the country and its citizens Of course this particular one. She says is in the interest of helping Niger in its security efforts, which will have An effect a ripple effect on the security situation in Nigeria, you know syrup like other Nigerians reacted to this And they said in their tweet quote the Buhari administration must immediately ask Niger Other than your 30s refund the 1.4 billion Narrow approved for them to buy vehicles and the use and use the money to offset the ASU Strike so that or offset the funding for us who so that those poor children can can go back to To school is what is what Dr. Mukhtar Pedro said Sorry, it's what Seraph said I apologize for that now joining us to provide analysis of this is Dr. Mukhtar bellow lecture at the Department of Political Science by your University come sir, you're welcome What are your thoughts on on the response and the x the reasons given by the minister of finance Zenab Ahmed? Sorry, let me cannot buy one thing because this one son as well So I beg the pardon of also that I'm not going to talk on the other half, but just as a political analyst you see in political science that there are counter is usually have a bilateral agreement which are mainly diplomatic and We don't know actually what happened But what is missing in the line is Nigerian government should have explained to Nigerians The reason why they are buying all those SUVs as an intervention to Niger Republic. Yes, it is quite alright that we have serious problems in the country the security issues that is coming from night that that mostly is sourcing from Niger Republic and It should be like moral booster to Niger Republic and Nigerian government so that they can put more effort in carbon out all those areas where We funds are coming from Niger Republic, but Some question has to be asked. Why is you this? usually be used in counter insurgency or in tripping the problem of mandatory across the Nigerian and Nigerian Boundary or borders that the question we are going to ask. Yes, we have serious problem internally in our country which government needs to pay much attention to not at this hours to be given Dishon money here and there intervention here and there As we don't have problem internally in our country All right interesting some of question the the choice of vehicle and that if you are you're talking about security in the northern part of Nigeria and of course across the border in Niger That you don't need to get Toyota Land Cruiser V8 vehicles which cost over a hundred millionaire which suggests that they are Very new models to fight security or insecurity rather Yeah, that what I'm asking that was also Nigerian action Why is you this the SUVs are not to be used by the Nigerian military old soldier there It is only meant for the top executive Especially the parade both those are the presidency the president has solved there. So that what the questions and you see linking to what you have Said concerning the problem we have here in Nigeria particularly the ASU protractor strike Which government has remained senseless and insensitive to it while our Student are belong guiding at home for more than about six six months now and the lecturers have not been paid They are they are they are salaries which has been suspended and All the protest and other in government is being that It is not ready to even make some adjustment But on this issue About given money or intervention in other countries problems when we have these serious issues need to be stopped at this Hours needs to be stopped seriously Hmm. All right, is it realistic what syrup is asking for for these These are monies to be returned to Nigeria I mean, of course the money's we're not handed over to the share But we're given to a car sales company for these vehicles to be purchased Do you think it's realistic if the vehicles are already in the share that they will be returned to Nigeria syrup is asking That will not be possible because it is a kind of agreement. We don't know when it was signed if you could remember the Nigerian Prime Minister has been visiting Nigeria almost twice and Nigeria is one of the major actor that Eshwar is coming to office after the Election there in Niger. So you can see the view romancing is so strong and We don't know actually what happened, but it is not possible for the Nigerian government to return that money Tending Looking at the high level agreement they have with Nigeria and Nigerian authorities so in all in effect what you say in Dr. Bello is that Syrup is just wasting its time, you know in calling for these modesty returned to the The treasury single account from where we may have been taken from it's just a waste of time the syrup Organization probably should not be wasting your time making such a request. It's all you say am I correct? Indirectly, we cannot say it is it is wasted. It is a waste of time Seraph has been there Now becoming a serious post in Nigeria's ensuring that Nigerian government is doing the best It has to do considering the way a manner things have been done in this country So even to come out with girl to say okay This is what we want government to do is just like and given our working into Nigerians and awareness That something is not been done in the right way and Nigerians are now Learning so much from there and maybe in the future that will be stopped, but we don't have to say okay It is wasting its time, but it's not feasible as ours Nigerian government or the Nigerian government to Repound those money that has already been Allocated and that maybe the vehicle has already been free to it also Some of said you know what? It's it's not a fair argument to to say oh This money could have been used to to pay us a lecture So every money that government now spends will say that she uses to pay us and some of I give that every single aspect of Government should be running, you know And some have said that without security. They can be no education So if it's true that these vehicles are going to use be used to enhance the security situation in Niger, which will invariably affect Nigeria That then that's that that we actually shouldn't be brought into this conversation at all because for the universities to function properly Terrorism banditry or whatever I won't call it in insecurity should be tackled. So what do you say about that the Security being more important than educational coming before education argument You see that is a trajectory or the nexus between the two is very strong The problem with us who is not about 1.1 billion It is an agreement that has already been signed between Nigeria and the Union since 2009 Which is now in the process of very negotiated? There are a lot of processes that has already been followed Memorandum of understanding signed but which government is not willing to put it into implementation So compared to the amount that has to be seeking This is so negligible With the SUVB that has been the way on the amount that the government has spent on the as a Procure in the SUV for the Nigerian Government, but you see the connection of being putting people in educational distance And the problem that we are experiencing theory of insecurity is strong had even government since before is so Sincere and also willing to ensure that our own educational sector has not been Be made to keep the problem that is facing today. Maybe the security problem will not have even occurred Yeah in the first instance All right. All right, and Again, I'll bring this up, you know Government is meant to be running and you also have your different sectors of government different departments different ministries Doing their job. So you have the education working. You have a You know power supply or power sector working all in gas, you know security and all that and would it be fair to say that? you know one one one aspect of government should be Religated for another so if government spends money on something So that money could have been used for security. Can't we have government spending money on Other things while also is still on strike You see governance is something which is very difficult Running a country like Nigeria is not something that you can do it through a platter of gold You need to research that there are areas that are sector that are essential and these sectors are very important in Mitigating some of the challenges that we are facing today had even our government or so serious I'm not talking about into this current government, but the inherent problem that we have Send the democratic Dispensation started in 1999 I had even they are so serious carrying out all these Promises that you have already made that will affect the livelihood of people Saying it is maybe from the health sector the economy the educational sector and other things All the problem will not have Being experienced in we will not have been experienced in the way we are especially to today So it is not about Religating one sector against the other sector often must be in the same pool and Government must be serious in doing that All right, so we need a comprehensive approach to tackling some of what challenges today Now you're a lecturer in the Department of Political Science at Paris by your university canoe Is this trade for a country to donate such Amount of money or you know items to another country I mean in in politics in international diplomacy No, it's not there is what we call in the film. I see there that we will call reciprocity The Nigerian government has been helping Nigerian government in tackling the issue especially Bandit area and the massive insta in blocks of we falls especially problem live area So I think Nigeria need to reciprocate Okay, so so do you feel because there's an overwhelming feeling that President Buhari has approved these these vehicles to be donated to Niger Not just not for security or because he happens to have his roots in Niger That's what a lot of people out there feel and that's why he's he's donating resources Some feel that he's actually done more for Niger than he has for Nigeria. What do you say to this? You see that people may come up with narratives. I'm sorry that I'm not part This independent president Buhari, but you see sometimes it depends on how well in the your partner is in coming up with a kind of relationship in international relations There are so many factor that has to be considered in poaching bilateral or kind of other kind of Diplomatic relations It shows that Nigerian government is so serious and want to Have a very good relation with Nigeria Looking at most of the problem that we are facing today, especially in northern part of Nigeria Directly intermingled with that of Niger and if we were able to forge a strong relation with Niger Definitely 60 to 70 percent of the problem that you are witnessing today can be solved Not forgetting that the the presence has come out and say that they have been doing the same thing With our other neighbors in Niger This is not Niger charred Cameroon and then in but that off Niger is so pronounced and maybe it is part of the government to Have a kind of adjustment in Diplomatic relation with other countries, especially our neighboring countries Interesting if you end in the shoes of the president of the Republic of Niger I mean he recently gave some awards to Prominent Nigerians like a Liko a Liko dango 10 co if you and his shoes right now What will you do see what's happening was being said in the Nigerian media space and the reactions of night of Nigerians What will you do? What decision will you take? No, if you were in the shoes of the Nigerian president Having seen what is playing out and the reactions of some Nigerians. What will you do? You see silence is later just keep silent continue doing the thing that you are doing because sometimes if you keep on explaining You will lose the balance and the thing may turn it into something else Send that government has come out and explain. Yes, they have confirmed They have procured the SUVs in Nigerian government for it has to take hint set from What happened and make certain changes in the future? Hmm. All right, some some of them some of you know said President Buhari should be Loaded or applauded, you know for going through due process in in all of this even though the photogram It had not announced anywhere, but they did not do anything illegal. Everything was well documented If you look at the document that David Hunde in the investigative journalist put out on Twitter It shows the you know the different offices and departments in the Ministry of Finance have been Were copied, you know, they was referred to the accountant general of Federation the necessary approvals and the necessary Checks have been, you know, and due diligence had been done and so some are saying the president should be commended for going through the official route and Going through due process with this particular issue of approval of funds for for Niger Yeah, yeah, you see managing a country like Nigeria, it's not like managing your own house It is a honor that you make secrecy and you can do whatever you want with your money It is your money. So for managing a country, you have to follow certain processes Not making baby pronouns to the public that we are doing this and that but you have to go there The report should be there and that what the president has been doing. So even if he left office The government that may come will find it easier to trace where the money has been spent Okay, all right. And do you think the National Assembly should have approved Such a donation, you know, I mean looking at the budgeting processes and The approval of budget to 20 into budget has already been approved and is it possible that such an expense Could be made without National assembly approval. Maybe you have a budget head that covers this particular expense I don't know. It was it something that National Assembly should have been consulted first before such a donation was made Yes, one of the Major responsibility of the National Assembly is an appropriation and I think Part of it is to be the responsibility of the National Assembly to ask why this money is being spent and maybe we have to do justice to the Presidency part of the budget that they sent to the National Assembly which has been approved maybe that aspect of the intervention that we witness in Niger Currently Maybe it is condemned that it's not being specific the items not being cleared But definitely if they ask the presidency to explain more on where they get the money or the resources without their Approval then they will be able to explain. We don't know actually what happened and maybe specifically They do not itemize that we are going to procure 10 as you based on Nigerian Authorities so that has to be the responsibility of the committee taking charge of those matters in the National Assembly to ask How the money is being sourced and why it is being spent on that and this is so from there We can find if there is any discrepancy as what the presidency is doing and what the National Assembly approved All right the finance minister thinks that the president's All he needs to do is to check in to assess the request by These countries and that this was a request by Niger Republic. Do you find that? Individual independent nations can make such requests to to their neighboring or fellow countries to say we need ABC Please give it to us because she said a request was made. Is that what happens? Yes, you look at the United States of America look at China and look at the Russia Nigeria is one of the is one of the Giant in Africa, which is always trying to Solidify and consolidate its own distant power in the in the African continent They are there are some some of the problematic thing that the country can do to boost its own image and We're looking at the way and mana in Nigeria has spent a lot especially in Liberia in Sierra Leone recently in Liberia where the general government was suspected to have pioneering the whole election there and There are so a number of television the Nigerian government can and do and looking at the size of our economy Nigerian government can solicit assistant from Nigeria as we we are assistant from China. I'm not just from America All right interesting anyway, so so if if the Countries involved the Niger Nigeria did not come to an agreement where this one is a returned and what options can Nigerians? Including syrup what options do they have to seek a way forward in this? Is it is it a lost cause already? Yeah, the optional already there syrup has said, okay It's given up to ultimately to Nigerian government and Nigerian authorities after the Nigerian Syrup and any other individual can take the case to court Hmm. All right. All right interesting Wouldn't this be out of the jurisdiction of the courts? Because I'm what the the finance minister is saying the president has the power to make such approvals All he needs to do is to assess the request and look at them the request and see if it's Actually going beneficial for Nigeria to release such, you know money and then if he thinks it's okay to request It's okay. He approves, you know So will the court not decline to to entertain such a case if I'm I don't know that he has no jurisdiction or cases like that No, when we say when we say the court we are not to repair. I'm not to repair. I'm taking the the Nigerian government to court as just like we are doing it at individual level. No Constitutionally, it is the judiciary that has to settle this kind of dispute So if they give their own body on it that yes, they have done it constitutionally Not on constitutionally them. We have nothing to say Hmm. All right. All right. In your opinion before you go since we're talking about Sarah up Niger Republic the federal government of Nigeria and Asu How do you think this asu strike can be ended? Should the government just see I see to their demands So do you think as we should have a bit of a shifting of grounds a bit to come to a meeting point with the federal government? You see negotiations is a matter of trade off and From what we had which I am I can see passionately. I am being affected The offer on the table is not from asu but from the government But unfortunately government has not to invite us again So we don't know actually what is happening behind the doors Maybe government is trying to ensure that everything is putting in the final distance so that they can ultimately solve the issue entirely and sequelae but Asu has done a lot and If you look at the pattern of the strike this time around it's not a total and comprehensive or holistic strike They are doing it in batches the recent one is dose at another distant adjustment to povics and If government is serious It will not have allow this povics to to even a standard So asu has been doing a lot and there are things that I cannot see because I said I'm not a spokesman Of asu we have an institutional Protocol of doing that, but I can tell you Government need to put more effort in solving this problem asu has done it part and The only thing is for a gerian parent and this Nigerian student to understand the whole issue surrounding this element Which we I am hoping in the next few weeks will be Will be solved All right, we can only but hope and hope and hope and asu is that an extended four-week strike or added four weeks to the ongoing strike and let's see if This hope will prove anything positive for us. Thank you very much for joining us all the way from Kanu Dr. Mutabella Lecturer in the Department of Political Science. We appreciate your time You are welcome. Thank you very much Right up next we look at sports and of course the Commonwealth Games have been holding in The United Kingdom would talk that and the English Premier League returns today Arsenal taking on Crystal Palace Excited for that. Stay with us