by Eyo Emmanuel
Nigeria’s chief of army staff Tukur Buratai and Nigerian Governor’s Forum (NGF) have tackled each other on the legality of the use of security votes. Buratai dims the vote subject to corruption and embezzlement while Fayemi argues that there’s nothing illegal about the use of security votes as it was enacted into law by the military. Now before you scroll past because you’re not familiar with the term “security vote” pause let me explain.
Security vote is an undisclosed allowance that is allocated to the 36 states aimed at “funding security services within such states”. According to a 2018 report by Transparency International, 29 states in Nigeria spent an average of $580 million (208.8 billion naira). It’s figures like this that make looking at your account balance a painful experience.
Buratai’s stance on the matter is not without reason. I mean we’re talking about the Nigerian government, they’ve proven time after time just how ” trust worthy” they are when it comes to matters of money. Fayemi claims that every amount given to the military by Ekiti state is properly accounted for. He claims that security funds should not be labelled illegal but should adhere to the best international practices by ensuring that every government expenditure is budgeted and appropriated
What are your thoughts on this?