President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Prof George Obiozor, has said restructuring is not a threat to the unity of Nigeria. Prof. Obiozor who spoke on Friday on Arise TV morning show, said that restructuring is a national blessing. “Restructuring is not a threat to the national unity, it is a very dynamic thing in a dynamic institution of a nation state where as you grow, new things are developed and new ideology evolves. In fact every country that is wise and progressive takes restructuring into account as they grow. In case of Nigeria it will help to build a more perfect federation or union where conflict will be less and cooperation will be more.”

He said if Nigerians had taken to 2014 National Conference, most problems faced by the country today would have been solved. “If we had taken time to look at restructuring, we should have actually taken more from the 2014 National Conference to lessen the conflicts that exist in this country, whether it is in our fiscal federalism, political or boundary issues particularly in revenue sharing. It is absolutely a problem federations solve very easily. Unfortunately all matters in Nigeria are over politicised.”

On Nnamdi Kanu, he said that though President Muhammadu Buhari was right when he said that the case was in court, he however urged the president to apply his prerogative of mercy on the case. “The president said that the matter is in the court and you cannot fault that one. If he says he does not want to interfere in the function of the judiciary, there is division of labour at Federal level where judiciary is independent, so, he is technically right in thinking that the case is already on. We are asking for something different from the judiciary and we are asking for him to consider his prerogative of mercy which is his own prerogative.

Read Also: Ohanaeze to Buhari: show mercy to IPOB leader Kanu

“The idea is treating him with mercy as a son and citizen, to be considerate and compassionate. We are not talking about the judiciary. If he is taking the judiciary route then he is taking the right route logically, but then away from what we are talking. We are appealing for mercy and some form of amnesty.” He said that IPOB does not speak for Ndigbo and equally chided the Northerners who encourage their youths to make comments that incite.

“Take it from me and it is the right statement, IPOB doesn’t speak for Igbo and that is the truth and to be very candid with you, the IPOB anger is an accumulated anger based on perceived or real injustice against Ndigbo for so long. We understand their anger and anger of many youths across the country, however the truth of the matter is that they are not mandated to speak for Ndigbo and the Northern groups that are making the statements is unfortunate because we don’t respond when their youths in their youthful exuberant make certain comments like they did before that all Igbo must leave the North In fact the idea that some responsible people in the North can take position, it is predetermined.

On state police, Ebebuagu, he said the state police or formation of Ebubeagu or Amotekun is imperative in a federation like Nigeria. “If you want to be effective country, you have to look at how other countries succeeded not how they failed. The reality in Nigeria today is that Nigeria police is so small to police our country. You need not call it a state police. You can call it state guard or anything but train them to detect crime and reduce crime. As society gets sophiscated, crime will increase and nobody will say Nigeria is not developing no matter how slow you can see it.”

On presidency, he said a President from Igboland and South East is an idea whose time has come. “It is politically justifiable and morally defenciable, it is indeed logical and in all sincerity, justice, equity and fairness have finally come home to Nigeria to crowd the Nigerian political history,” he said.

By Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

Security agencies are probing a former Acting Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Amb. Mohammed Dauda for allegedly leaking secret files of the agency to the media and groups.

The ex-intelligence chief was also under investigation in connection with some petitions undermining the NIA and alleged attempt to implicate some of its directors.

It was learnt that some of the leaks were orchestrated to stop the reappointment of the present NIA DG, Amb. Ahmed Rufai Abubakar.

There were indications that the agencies might seek the extradition of the ex-Acting NIA boss because some of the leaks traced to him had been obtained by some foreign intelligence agencies.

Dauda, who was the Acting DG of NIA for a month between 2017 and 2018, has relocated to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) on self-exile pending the resolution of his case in court.

He got a judgment in 2020 from the National Industrial Court (NIC) directing the Presidency to reinstate him.

Although the Federal Government has filed an appeal against the judgment, security agencies had been uncomfortable with alleged covert activities of Dauda in Dubai.

But Dauda, who spoke with our correspondent, said the allegations against him were baseless and frivolous.

According to investigation, security agencies have discovered that Dauda was still in possession of some “classified information” which he has allegedly been releasing to “hurt” the nation’s security system.

It was learnt that in 2018, a Special Management Staff Disciplinary Committee alleged that Dauda was culpable of the same offences under investigation.

The affected offences were said to be “breach of confidentiality, violation of oath of secrecy/allegiance, misapplication of agency funds, unlawful petition, disobedience of lawful orders, falsehood and prevarication, injurious rumour peddling and violation of Section 108 on unauthorized publication in the media.”

A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Security agencies are investigating ex-Acting NIA boss for alleged acts capable of undermining the nation’s intelligence.

“Apart from leaking some official secrets to cause disaffection in NIA, Dauda has been on the radar for spreading falsehood and propaganda against this agency with a low profile mandate.

“Since 2018, NIA has been under attacks from its former helmsman. He appeared in February 2018 before the House of Representatives where he divulged classified security issues which later gained traction in the media.

“International security agencies were afraid to collaborate with their Nigerian counterparts because of such leaks. And the ex-NIA boss has not relented from his exile base in Dubai.”

Responding to a question, the source added: “From the look of things, Nigeria will have no choice than to seek the extradition of Dauda from Dubai.

“It is against diplomatic norm for a former intelligence chief to use the UAE to launch attacks on his former office.

“This ex-Acting NIA DG has breached diplomatic and intelligence protocols. Such unethical attitude is unacceptable anywhere in the world.

“In and out of office, a secret service official is expected to be anonymous for life. Otherwise, these infractions attract sanctions. Like an expert observed, in the US, vice presidential aide in George W Bush’s Administration, Lewis Scooter Libby was jailed for exposing the wife of Ambassador Joseph Wilson as a CIA agent. In 1994, CIA counterintelligence officer Aldrich Ames was sentenced to life in prison without parole for “compromising highly classified CIA assets.” In 2001, American FBI officer Robert Hanssen was sentenced to 15 consecutive life sentences without possibility of parole for compromising US intelligence secrets. The British Government took serious exception in 1987 when former MI5 officer Peter Wright published his book Spycatcher, and banned its sale in the UK.”

It was learnt that Dauda was suspected of intensifying his game as part of the plot to stop the reappointment of the NIA DG, Amb. Ahmed Rufai Abubakar for second term.

An intelligence officer said:” You know Amb. Ahmed Rufai Abubakar came on board in January 2018 and his tenure is due for renewal for second term.

“We suspect that the ongoing rubbish from Dauda and others was part of moves to stop President Muhammadu Buhari from giving a second term to the NIA DG.

“This is why they attempted to sell a dummy to the public that NIA Directors petitioned the President. This is false, there was no any letter sent to the President by the directors. They have failed in their bid to cause internal disaffection in NIA.”

When contacted, Dauda described the allegations against him as baseless and sheer falsehood.

He said: “Leaking information? It is a complete lie; I have nothing to do with it. They used to come up with spurious allegations anytime they come under pressure. When they have nothing to say, they will start blaming me. I am always the scapegoat.

“I have been outside the country for four years, where will I get information to leak? Where will I get documents against my country or NIA?

“I don’t have anything to do with undermining the security of Nigeria or subversive activities. How can I or why should I undermine Nigeria’s security? If they have evidence against me, let them show it.

“When I took NIA to court over my sack, it took them years foot-dragging at the High Court but I won the case. The court ordered that I should be reinstated as the DG of NIA.

“Now, they have gone to the Court of Appeal and instead of making their case, they are dragging their feet at the appellate court again.

“All these attacks were because of the victory I secured at the High Court. They know I did my best and I had a good record in office and my sack was unjustified.”

In a case, NICN/ABJ/136/2018, Dauda had faulted his dismissal and asked the National Industrial Court to determine whether the procedure adopted was in compliance with Article 8(1) and (2) of the National Securities Agency Act (CAPS 278) 1986.

He, through his lawyer, Kanu Agabi (SAN). also asked the court to determine whether the purported letter of his dismissal of March 6, 2018, was unlawful, null and void and of no effect whatsoever.

He urged the court to reinstate him as director and order for the payment of his salaries and other entitlements from the date of his unlawful dismissal to the date of his reinstatement.

The Presiding judge, Justice Olufunke Anuwe granted all the reliefs sought by the claimant. The judge declared Duada’s dismissal illegal, null and void, and ordered his immediate reinstatement.

The last full year budget of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration has been passed and signed into law for implantation. The budget, however, has kicked up some dusts that will linger with Nigerians long after Muhammadu Buhari has left office. Assistant Editor NDUKA CHIEJINA reports

The 2022 budget was conceived to accelerate the recovery of the Nigerian economy and facilitate the completion of critical projects, as well as improve the general living conditions of Nigerians. It is the budget that will herald the 2023 elections and a lot depends on how the budget is implemented

Being the last full year budget of the Buhari administration, the 2022 budget reflects the key execution priorities and strategies of the National Development Plan (NDP) 2021-2025. This budget will also be the first to be implemented based on the objectives of the NDP 2021-2025 and budgetary allocations to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) were informed by the core objectives of the NDP 2021 – 2025.

Another interesting feature of the 2022 budget is that the provisions of the finance Act 2021 will play a significant role in the full implementation of the budget particularly the drive to generate revenue to fund the budget.

Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning Mrs. Zainab Ahmed reiterated that “revenue currently remains our main fiscal challenge. Government remains committed to the effective implementation of the Strategic Revenue Growth Initiatives to improve revenue collection, expenditure management and fiscal sustainability”. What this simply means is that government wants more money. To get that money government says this budget will funded from borrowing

Government, she said, is optimistic about its ability to finance the budget “considering the positive global oil market outlook and the continuing improvement in our non-oil revenues”.  The National Development Plan (NDP) 2021-2025 and the Finance Act 2021 will be major drivers of the budget.

 

NDP 2021-2025:

 

Under the NDP 2021-25, the stands on the tripod of accelerating growth; deepening the initiatives for diversified growth and the fostering of sustainable development.

The plan has an investment size of N348.1trillion that will be funded by the federal and state governments on the one hand and the private sector on the other. For this investment size, the expected financing contribution has been drawn to be made up of: Public Sector N49.7 trillion (subnational will contribute N20.1trillion, FGN N29.6trillion) the Private Sector, will invest N298.3 trillion.

According to Mrs. Ahmed, “the 2022 FGN Budget is the first key public sector contribution to implementing the plan. We shall explore available opportunities for public-private partnerships, concessions as well as climate finance arrangements to fast-track the pace of our infrastructural development”.

The strategic objective of the NDP 2021-2025 is to: establish a strong foundation for a concentric diversified economy, with robust MSME growth, and a more-resilient business environment; build a solid framework and enhance capacities to strengthen security and ensure good governance; invest in critical physical, financial, digital and innovative infrastructure and enable a vibrant, educated and healthy populace.

When these are achieved, the expected impact of the NDP 2021-2025 will be that Nigeria would have achieved improved competitiveness of the economy with a GDP growth of 5 to 6 percent; at least 35 million people lifted out of poverty by 2025, 21 million full-time jobs generated with the young workforce leveraged; and significantly enhanced execution capacity at the national and sub-national levels.

 

The Finance Act 2021:

 

The Finance Act 2021 has turned out to be the most controversial of the three Finance Acts (2019-2021) so passed. This particular Finance Act is different because of some of the key changes in the tax laws.

These changes are: Profits of companies engaged in educational activities are no longer exempt from tax under Section 23(1)(c) of Companies Income Tax Act (CITA); the rate of tertiary education tax has been increased from 2 percent of assessable profits to 2.5 percent of assessable profit.

The profits of companies from the exports of goods produced in Upstream, Midstream and Downstream Petroleum operations are no longer exempt from tax under section 23(1) (q) of CITA; Companies engaged in Upstream Petroleum operations will continue to have obligation to withhold VAT, even when they have not commenced commercial operations or have turnover less than N25 million.

Companies engaged in the business of banking, mobile telecommunication, ICT, aviation, maritime and oil and gas, with turnover of N100 million and above, are to pay NASENI tax of 0.25 percent of their profits before tax; Capital gains from disposal of shares and stocks in Nigerian companies, for aggregate proceed amounting to N100 million or more in any 12 consecutive periods, is subject to Capital Gains Tax (CGT) at 10 percent, provided that the proceed is not reinvested within 12 months.

It is now a punishable offence for any company to deny the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) access to plug in its tax administration software into its systems; It is also now an offence, punishable by fine, imprisonment or both, for RMAFC, EFCC or any agency of government (other than FIRS) or any of their staff or consultant, to demand for books or returns for the purposes of tax, or carry out the function of assessment, collection or enforcement of tax, or pay any portion of tax revenue to any person or into any account, other than the relevant accounts designated by the constitution or relevant laws of the National Assembly.

Any company that claims the reduced 0.25 percent rate under the minimum tax rule in section 33 of CITA but files its tax returns late will be liable to a penalty under section 55, which is equivalent to the benefits or reduction claimed.

There is also the introduction of duty on non-alcoholic, carbonated and sweetened beverages. Excise Duty of N10/litre has been imposed on all non-alcoholic, carbonated and sweetened beverages. This is “to discourage excessive consumption of sugar in beverages which contributes to diabetes, obesity, etc. the new ‘Sugar Tax’ was introduced to raise excise duties and revenues for health related and other critical expenditures (in line with the 2022 Budget’s Priorities)” Ahmed said.

 

Road to Budget 2022:

 

The 2022 Appropriation Bill was signed into law to enable its implementation to commence on 1st January 2022. In doing that, President Muhammadu Buhari directed the Executive to submit amendment and/or virement request as soon as National Assembly resumes to mitigate the possible impact of some changes made by the National Assembly to the 2022 Executive Budget proposal.

According to the finance minister, the President was unhappy that members of the National Assembly tampered with some legacy projects he wanted to complete before leaving office. “The effective implementation of the 2022 Budget is very critical for delivering government’s legacy projects, promoting social inclusion and strengthening the resilience of the economy,” she said.

Nigeria posted its fourth consecutive quarterly economic growth in Q3 2021, since the resumption of growth in Q4 2020 and recovery from the deepest economic recession recorded in 2020. Real GDP grew by a record 5.01% in Q2 2021, one of the best recorded by any nation across Sub-Saharan Africa. In fact, the highest growth recorded by the economy since 2014.

Recovery was sustained by a 4.03 percent growth recorded in the Q3 2021, fuelled by the implementation of government’s Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP) and the easing of COVID-19 induced restrictions on economic activities.

Growth in the non-oil sector demonstrated greater resilience recording 5.44% in real terms during the reference quarter (Q3 2021). The growth recorded in the non-oil sector was mainly driven by trade, Information and Communication (Telecommunication). Other drivers include Financial and Insurance (Financial Institutions); Manufacturing (Food, Beverage and Tobacco); Agriculture (Crop Production); and Transportation and Storage (Road Transport).

In real terms, the non-oil sector contributed 92.51 percent to GDP in Q3 2021, higher from the share recorded in the Q3 2020 which was 91.27 percent, Nigeria’s inflation rate has been on the decline dropping in the month of November 2021 to 15.40 percent from a four-year high of 18.17 percent in March 2021. The downward trend is expected to continue through the end of the year.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS’) Q4 2020 estimates put unemployment at 33 percent and underemployment rate at 22.84 percent. High unemployment/underemployment rates have implications for poverty incidence in the population.

 

How did 2021 budget fare?

 

Ahmed gave an insight into how 2021 budget has fared so far. It must be pointed out that the capital expenditure component of the 2021 budget is still in operation till March, 2022. What it means is that MDAs are at liberty to spend the capital component of the 2021 budget as approved by the National Assembly till March 2022 even though the President has signed the 2022 Appropriation Act into law.

She noted that as at November 2021, Federal Government of Nigeria’s (FGN’s) aggregate revenue was N5.51 trillion, representing 74 percent of what was targeted in the year. This was made up of FGN share of oil revenues N970.3 billion (representing 53 percent performance of the prorated sum in the 2021 budget).

Read Also: Buhari rejects NASS’ insertion of 6,576 projects in 2022 budget

FGN share of non-oil tax revenues totalled N1.62 trillion (118.8 percent over and above the target), Companies Income Tax (CIT) and Value Added Tax (VAT) collections were N718.58 billion and N360.56 billion, representing 115 percent and 165 percent respectively of the prorata targets for the period. Customs collections was N542.11 billion (104 percent of the target) while other revenues amounted to N2.80 trillion, of which FGN Independent revenues was N1.10 trillion while Government Owned Enterprises (GOEs)’ retained revenues was N1.20 trillion.

On the expenditure side, N12.56 trillion (or 94.1 percent) has been spent out of the N13.57 trillion prorata budget. This is inclusive of expenditure estimates of the GOEs but exclusive of Project-tied Loans.

She added that under last year’s expenditure, N4.20 trillion was for debt service and N3.02 trillion for Personnel cost, including Pensions, “as at November 2021, N3.40 trillion had been expended for capital, of this, N2.98 trillion represents 83 percent of the provision for MDAs’ capital, N369.9 billion for Multi-lateral/Bilateral Project-tied loans, and N49.52 billion as GOEs capital expenditure,” she said.

 

Key Assumptions in 2022 Budget:

 

Without mincing words, the finance minister stated that the 2022 budget will continue with the reflationary policies of the 2020 and 2021 budgets of the government (that is spending its way out of economic crises). Reflation is a fiscal or monetary policy usually introduced at a period of economic slowdown or contraction by implementing policies like tax cuts, infrastructure spending, increasing the money supply, and lowering interest rates.

The two economic recessions that Nigeria experienced and quickly exited were as a result of the government channeling money to sectors with considerable spending potentials like the social safety net programmes, intervention programmes to fund Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and some tax incentives.

According Mrs. Ahmed, reflating the economy helped pull the economy from the brink back on the track of recovery and growth.

Crude oil production: The National Assembly maintained the proposed production volume of 1.88mbpd (including condensates) in 2022. Even though Nigeria’s total production capacity is around 2.5 mbpd, current (year to date), crude production was about 1.4mbpd (slightly short of the OPEC+ production quota), and an additional 300,000bpd of condensates, totalling about 1.6mbpd. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) expects that global oil production would increase to match rising levels of global oil consumption. OPEC crude production was projected to average 28.34 million barrels per day in 2022 higher than 26.94 million barrels per day forecast for 2021.

Crude Oil Price: Government after consulting with the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) and other stakeholders is projecting a base oil price of $57/bbl in 2022. According to Ahmed, “this was premised on the averages of forecasts by leading institutions, factors driving market fundamentals, global economic recovery, plans by governments and market sentiments.

However, the National Assembly increased the proposed 2022 oil price benchmark of $57pbl to $62pbl while the World Bank forecasts that crude oil prices will average US$74 pb in 2022 as oil demand strengthens and reaches pre-pandemic levels. The EIA expects Brent prices to average $70.05 per barrel in 2022.

These two assumptions for crude oil production and price have always been controversial. The National Assembly are always rooting for “more” while the Executive have always been cautious by advocating for “less”. The legislators want to spend as much as they see, while the executive have called for measured and calculated spending. However, it is unlikely the executive will push hard against the National Assembly as they are pushing for the projects that were tinkered with in the overall budget. Since they both agree that reflating the economy is the way to growth, both arms will be happy to have so much to spend. One thing is certain, both arms of government are overtly keen on saving proceeds from crude oil sales as the past administration was.

In 2022, Nigeria’s Oil Production is projected to be 1.88 mbpd; at oil price of $62/b; exchange rate of N410.15/$; 13 percent Inflation Rate; nominal consumption of N119.28 trillion; targeted nominal GDP of N184.38 trillion and GDP Growth Rate of 4.20%. An average exchange rate of N410.15/US$ is proposed in 2022 based on the advice of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

 

Revenue (Where is the money coming from?):

 

The projected aggregate revenue available to fund the 2022 budget of N10.74 trillion (inclusive of GOEs) was 32 per cent higher than the 2021 projection of N8.12 trillion. Without the GOEs retained revenue, the government’s revenue was projected at N9.01 trillion.

She disclosed that in order to promote fiscal transparency, accountability and comprehensiveness, allocations to TETFUND and the budgets of 63 GOEs were integrated in the federal government’s 2022 budget proposal.

In aggregate, 35 percent or N3,362,008,316,763 of projected revenues is to come from oil-related sources while 65 per cent is to be earned from non-oil sources.

Non-oil revenue sources include: Dividend N195,716,305,950 (NLNG N187,397,535,000; Bank of Industry N8,318,770,950); Share of Minerals and Mining N2,915,433,293; Share of Non-Oil Taxes N2,132,083,163,179: (CIT N909,302,644,947, VAT N316,691,050,420, Customs N834,116,601,034, Share of Federation Acct. Levies N71,972,866,778); Electronic Money Transfer Levy (formerly called Stamp Duty) N29,367,152,138; Oil Price Royalty N96,943,894,289.

Others are revenue from GOEs N3,306,600,375,927; Independent Revenue N2,216,217,091,075; Draw-down from Special Levies Accounts N300,000,000,000; Signature Bonus/Renewals/Early Renewals N280,855,138,079; Domestic Recoveries + Assets + Fines N26,933,139,822; Grants and Donor Funding N63,376,918,168; Education Tax (TETFUND) N305,998,000,000 all amounting to N10,740,803,831,543.

 

 Expenditure (Where is the Money going to?)

 

The 2022 aggregate federal government expenditure (inclusive of GOEs and project-tied Loans) was projected to be N17.13 trillion, which is 18 per cent higher than the 2021 Budget.

On the other hand, recurrent (non-debt) spending, amounting to N6.91 trillion, is 40 percent of total expenditure, and 20 percent higher than the 2021 budget. Mrs. Ahmed said the aggregate capital expenditure of N5.96 trillion is 35 percent of total expenditure. This provision is inclusive of capital component of statutory transfers, GOEs capital and project-tied loans expenditures. At N3.61 trillion, debt service is 21 percent of total expenditure and 34 percent of total revenues.

Provision to retire maturing bonds to local contractors/suppliers of N270.71 billion was 1.6 per cent of total expenditure. The minister said the provision was in line with the federal government’s commitment to off-set accumulated arrears of contractual obligations dating back over a decade. “Overall budget deficit is N6.39 trillion for 2022. This represents 3.46 per cent of GDP. Budget deficit is to be financed mainly by borrowings: Domestic sources -N2.57 trillion; foreign sources – N2.57 trillion; multi-lateral/bi-lateral loan drawdowns N1.16 trillion and privatization proceeds – N90.7 billion,” she added.

In 2022, there will be Statutory Transfer of N869,667,187,543; N3,609,241,188,415 for Debt Servicing; N270,711,793,135 for Sinking Fund.

Recurrent (Non-Debt) will gulp N6,909,849,788,736 under this there will be: Personnel Costs (MDAs) N3,494,367,075,514; Personnel Costs (GOEs) N617,724,992,745; Overheads (MDAs) N371,726,148,777; Overheads (GOEs) N451,001,890,322; Pensions, Gratuities and Retirees Benefits N577,862,188,757; Other Service Wide Votes (including GAVI/Immunization) N966,867,592,621; Presidential Amnesty Programme N65,000,000,000 TETFUND – Recurrent N15,299,900,000.

For Special Interventions (Recurrent) N350,000,000,000 has been budgeted in 2022. There is also provision of N5,961,066,005,970 for Aggregate Capital Expenditure which covers; (Capital Supplementation N455,588,000,000; Capital Expenditure in Statutory Transfers N493,662,046,107; Special Intervention Programme (Capital) N7,000,000,000; Amount Available for MDAs Capital Expenditure N2,750,893,902,177; GOEs Capital Expenditure N647,079,937,729; TETFUND Capital Expenditure N290,698,100,000; Grants and Donor Funded Projects N63,376,918,168; Multi-lateral/Bi-lateral Project-tied Loans N1,155,823,207,500; FGN Share of Oil Price Royalty Transferred to NSIA N96,943,894,289. All these will come to a total of N17,126,873,917,692.

 

Sectoral Allocations in 2022 Budget

N815.69bn

Amount provisioned for Federal Ministry of Education and its agencies (Recurrent & Capital expenditure)

 

N112.29bn

Amount provisioned for Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC)

 

N306.00bn

Transfers to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) for Infrastructure projects in tertiary institutions

 

N770.87bn

Amount provisioned for Federal Ministry of Health and its agencies (Recurrent & Capital expenditure, including Hazard Allowance)

 

N49.37bn

Gavi/ Immunisation funds, including Counterpart Funding for Donor Supported Programmes, Including Global Fund

 

N56.14bn

The transfer to Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) 1% of CRF

 

N2.29 trillion

13.4 percent of Budget), amount provisioned for the Military, Police, Intelligence and Para-Military (Recurrent and Capital expenditure)

 

N1.42 trillion

The amount for provisions for Works and Housing, Power (inclusive of PSRP Provisions), Transport, Water Resources, Aviation

 

N462 billion

Amount provisioned for Social Investments / Poverty Reduction Programmes

 

President Muhammadu Buhari, on Wednesday night, said detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, should answer for his actions.

He spoke during an interview aired by Channels Television.

He said he would not interfere with the judicial process.

The President, who responded to questions on several national issues on the programme, said: “I wouldn’t dare interfere with the judiciary.

“We cannot rule out possibility of political solution, but if he will behave himself all well and good.

Read Also: Nnamdi Kanu is prisoner of conscience, says IPOB

“But you can’t go to a foreign country and keep on sending incorrect economic and security problems against your country and thinking that you will never have to account for what you have been doing.

“Let him account for what he has been doing.

“There is one institution that I wouldn’t dare interfere with. That’s the judiciary. Kanu’s case is with the judiciary.

“But what I wonder is when Kanu was simply in Europe, abusing this administration and mentioning too many things, I never thought really he wants to voluntarily come and defend himself on the accusations he has.

“So, we’re giving him an opportunity to defend himself in our system and not to be abusing us from Europe as if he was not a Nigerian.

“Let him come here with us and then criticise us here in Nigeria, let him be listened to.

“But people who are saying he should be released, no, we cannot release him.”

Former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has accused Governor Hope Uzodimma of setting up a killer squad known as Hopism Strike Force (HSF).

He also alleged that the strike force is behind the mayhems in the state. The governor has denied the allegations.

Addressing reporters at his residence in Owerri, Okorocha said the strike force comprises the military, police, DSS and Ebubeagu.

He challenged Uzodimma to name sponsors of insecurity in the state.

“If the governor knows he has no such force in the state, let him tell the world who killed Gukak.

“It is not about me or Uche Nwosu; it is about the image of our state. I want to repeat this Sheba, Uzodimma’s CSO, has been in detention for the past 4 days. He is among the striking force of Uzodimma, I still ask Uzodimma, who killed Gulak? Who killed traditional rulers? Who killed about 140 bodies of Imolites found in the mortuary? Hope Uzodimma has a striking force called ‘Hope striking force’ they should ask them what they are doing with this killer squad.”

Read Also: VIDEO: Okorocha still wants to control affairs of Imo even as an ex-governor – Uzodimma

He argued that unless the mystery of “Hopeism strike force and Ebubeagu” is unravelled, members of the public would continue to grope in the dark in search of the sponsors and agents of banditry in the state.

The former governor lamented the lives and properties lost in the state, including the killing of some traditional rulers and over 104 others since the inception of the Uzodimma-led administration. “This never happened for the 8 years that I ruled this state,” he said.

He added that while everybody was waiting patiently to hear the governor mention those behind banditry, kidnapping, killing and all forms of mayhem in the state, he avoided it.

Okorocha boasted that he has no skeleton in the cupboard, adding that the increasing rate of killings and recent ‘kidnap’ of his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu, in a church spoke volumes of a clueless and insensitive government to the people.

”My legacies are all over the place and would ever remain indelible and cannot be erased because they are very clear,” he said.

He urged the President, the Inspector General of Police and other security chiefs in the country to intervene in the ugly drama taking place in Imo.

The former governor dismissed insinuations in some quarters of his plan to dump the All Progressives Congress (APC) and queried: “How can I build a house, furnish it and abandon it for a tenant? I was one of those who formed the APC and Governor Hope Uzodimma only came in through the window so I cannot leave the party for him.”

Uzodimma described Okorocha’s action as paranoid.

“If he is not paranoid, why panic, what has he to hide? If Okorocha knows that the governor has a killer squad known as Hopism Strike Force, why wait until now that public searchlight is on you and son-in-law to start exposing the killer squad?”  Uzodimma, who spoke through his Commissioner for Information and Strategy Declan Emelumba, said: “If you say that the governor has a killer squad, the best place to report is the police, not the press. I believe the Okorocha has something he is hiding and sooner than later, it will be exposed.”