Controversial activist and former lawmaker, Shehu Sani, has sharply criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his recent declaration that he would not probe military expenditures during the administration of his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari. The former senator, who represented Kaduna Central in the 8th National Assembly, described the decision as a contradiction to the President’s actions regarding the investigation into the activities of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) under former Governor Godwin Emefiele.
In an interview with Channels TV on Tuesday, Sani expressed his concerns about the implications of letting questionable military spending go unexamined, particularly as the country faces mounting challenges in tackling corruption and improving security.
“When you find yourself in a position of leadership, especially in a country facing the kinds of challenges that Nigeria is grappling with, you cannot simply ignore the past,” Sani stated. “If public funds were mismanaged, they must be recovered. To do otherwise, to let mismanagement slide, is to reward corruption.”
Sani’s comments come in the wake of a media chat held by President Tinubu on Monday, during which the President reaffirmed his decision to avoid investigating military spending under the Buhari administration. The issue of military spending has long been a contentious one in Nigeria, with critics pointing to massive allocations that have yet to yield significant improvements in the country’s security situation.
During the chat, Tinubu explained that his administration’s focus is on moving the country forward, prioritizing reforms that he believes will stabilize and grow the economy. However, his refusal to revisit military spending raised eyebrows, especially given the ongoing investigations into the CBN’s activities under the leadership of Godwin Emefiele. Tinubu’s government has been closely scrutinizing the alleged mismanagement of the apex bank’s funds during Emefiele’s tenure, and Sani questioned why a similar level of scrutiny could not be applied to the military.
“There’s a contradiction here,” Sani continued. “If we can probe the Central Bank, why should military spending be left untouched? How can you claim to be fighting corruption while deliberately turning a blind eye to a key area of government spending that has been plagued with scandals for years?”
The former lawmaker pointed out that numerous reports and investigations over the years have raised serious concerns about the opaque handling of funds within the Nigerian military. Despite billions of dollars allocated for defense and security, the country continues to struggle with insurgency, banditry, and other forms of violence, particularly in the northern and central regions.
“Look at the state of insecurity in Nigeria today,” Sani argued. “The resources that were meant to address these challenges have not been utilized effectively. How can we justify not looking back to see where the funds went?”
In his critique, Sani stressed that the refusal to probe military expenditures could be interpreted as a tacit endorsement of mismanagement and corruption. He noted that, while President Tinubu has embarked on ambitious economic reforms aimed at stabilizing Nigeria’s economy, such reforms often come with a high cost to citizens, who are already reeling from inflation and rising living costs. Nevertheless, Sani believes that the President should demonstrate consistency in his anti-corruption stance by ensuring that all sectors, including the military, are held accountable for past financial misdeeds.
“Economic reforms have never been popular anywhere in the world,” Sani said. “People will suffer, but they understand the necessity of tough decisions if they can see that their leaders are committed to honesty and transparency. If the government is serious about recovering stolen funds, then all sectors should be scrutinized—no one should be exempt.”
Sani also warned that failing to probe military spending would set a dangerous precedent, one that could allow for further mismanagement and continued insecurity. He called on Nigerians to hold President Tinubu accountable, particularly as his government seeks to navigate complex issues like national debt, security, and economic recovery.
“Tinubu must realize that his legacy will be defined not just by the reforms he implements today, but by the actions he takes regarding the past,” Sani said. “A president who refuses to investigate previous corruption and mismanagement is, in effect, endorsing it. And that’s a grave mistake for the future of this country.”
The debate over military spending comes at a time when Nigerians are increasingly concerned about the rising insecurity across the country. Despite massive budgets allocated for defense, terrorist groups like Boko Haram, as well as criminal elements such as bandits, continue to wreak havoc in various parts of the nation. Critics have long questioned the transparency and accountability of military budgets, with many accusing high-ranking officers of diverting funds meant for crucial defense projects.
Sani’s comments also bring attention to the broader issue of accountability within Nigerian government institutions. The country has long battled corruption at all levels of government, and while President Tinubu has vowed to prioritize the recovery of stolen funds and the prosecution of corrupt individuals, critics are concerned that selective investigations may undermine the credibility of his anti-corruption agenda.
