Former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Nuhu Ribadu and the national secretary of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Buba Galadima, have expressed divergent views on the implications of the N921 billion being proposed by the government for security in 2012.
They spoke yesterday during the launching of a book, Time To Reclaim Nigeria written by Chido Onumah. Ribadu said the N921 billion was justified as no meaningful development can be achieved without safety and security.
Ribadu, who was the presidential candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the last general election, said: “It is not for me to criticise. No economic policy will work; there is no way to move forward without safety.
“Security is the biggest challenge facing us. It is not just about budgeting the money. It must be used judiciously. We have made huge investments in the past and nothing changed. We hope this time it will be different. Whatever it takes to give Nigerians security is justified.”
But Buba Galadima said a budget of this mind-boggling amount was not necessary as only social justice can provide security.
He said, “The security votes that we are talking about are things that cannot be questioned, so whether the money is going to be pocketed or be used for actual security work cannot be ascertained by any Nigerian.
“It is so convenient because you don’t ask questions about security votes. But, in the first place, what led to this security? To me, it is the failure of government to address social security.
“In a country where some people are struggling for the next meal, one person steals N500 billion, N400 billion. With all the N1trillion or 21 per cent of the national budget voted for security , there will be not security when there is nothing in some people’s stomachs.”
Chiedu Ezeanah, who reviewed the book that was launched, said: “Chido Onumah’s Time to Reclaim Nigeria, is a timely book that focuses on the disturbing paradox of this nation that is blessed but also cursed by so much suffering and injustice.”