The immediate past Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, has said South Africa should apologise to Nigeria for embarrassing the country with the seizure of funds meant for the procurement of arms and ammunition for the campaign against the Boko Haram insurgency.
Obanikoro said the action of the South African government was unacceptable, unnecessary and unfair as the two deals, which led to the seizures of the funds, were not illegal.
South Africa agencies had seized $15m meant for procurement of arms for the prosecution of the campaign against insurgency in the North East.
Obanikoro noted that the South Africans should have a better understanding of the use of cash for arms procurement as that was the process they used in arms purchasing throughout the long period of their struggle against apartheid.
The former minister added that South Africa failed Nigeria during a period of dire need.
He said the southern African country, which benefitted immensely from Nigeria during the days of the country’s struggle for freedom, was just out to embarrass Nigeria.
He said, “What South Africa did to us is unacceptable, it is not fair, it is not just and it was unnecessary.
“Here is a nation that stood by them during their time of need. If there is any country that should understand the need to use cash to procure ammunition or weapons, it is South Africa, because during their days of struggling for liberation, that’s what they were doing.
“They have gone through a very long struggle for liberation to get to where they are today, and most of the weapons they used and procured during these struggle were through cash transactions.
“We were in a very dire situation at that point in time and we needed that push at that particular time and they failed us.
“For me, I can speak now as an ordinary citizen of Nigeria, I think South Africa failed Nigeria and they owe Nigeria an unreserved apology. Look at the other bank transaction that was done through the bank, I think they went out deliberately to embarrass us, and they owe us an apology.”
South Africans should be ashamed of themselves , like they have forgotten so soon without Nigerians support to their struggled to freedom it would not have come easily , note u cannot bit the finger that feeds u. S.A should as a matter of urgency refund Nigerian Money on arm deal and prostrate flat on the floor apologizing to Nigerians-else expect the worst soon to south Africans.
ReplyDeleteDoes the fact that we want to fight insurgence mean we should defile the laws of the country we wish to get arms from? We might be lawless within our borders and believe nothing “dey happen” but it not so in other countries. One thing we should know is that you don't pull this kind of stunts with a country u have diplomatic ties with. There must be communication between relevant individuals in the SA Govt that should have assisted our emissaries the moment they arrived SA. This talk of apology is a cry of those myopic in reasoning. We are not sharing 10b here Mr Obanikoro
ReplyDeleteSenator Obanikoro, with all due respect I suggest you and your lot kindly consult the CBN governor to educate you on required protocol for the psychical removal of such amount from circulation and it's impact on the Nigerian Foreign Reserve! Oh wait, his a larkey to the corrupt too! Darn! Ok, pick up any literature related to the matter, it wiil only serve to teach you a thing or two!
ReplyDeleteAnd FYI, the South African Apartheid was more than two decades ago! Kindly note that this is 2014, an era of strict rules and procedure for money crossing borders! By going from Nigeria to SA, several international laws have been broken and SA government is within their right to impound and investigate the money. Don't forget, there are no PDP members in SA and frankly they don't have to listen to you!
In my opinion you and all your cronies in Legislature (same goes to the Executive Arm of Government) who voted against the probing of the matter should tender your resignation immediately and apologise to the people of Nigeria, SA and the world over for your ineptness amongs other things!
Here is one of those elected by Nigerians to rule! It really amazes me the kind of people that have the rule over us & their thought patterns!!! To start with my brother(Obanikoro), u don't have the slightest idea of what it is like to be an ordinary Nigerian..so don't insult our intelligence. You are comparing apartheid to a situation of a country legally attempting to procure arms to defend its' territory..that analogy is wrong. During apartheid africans in S.A were illegally acquiring arms to fight the state in order to achieve their freedom from the racists in govt. Here the govt claims to be acquiring the weapons legally to fight Boko Haram but have gone about it as if the were a terror group or unconventional army without the authority to follow legal channels. The same govt that encourages cashlessness is cought in a single transaction of cash to d tune of $9.3m & $5.7m respectively..talk about double standard! The truth about this whole transaction will still be revealed..it's only a matter of time. So u guys can continue wit ur politicking but wat transpired in S.A was a clear attempt to launder cash for whatever reason..election mayb. God is watching all of you. No matter how much of d benefit belonging to all Nigerians u corner it will neva suffice..u will still come back begging!
ReplyDeleteObinna O
My people,in our various questions yearning for answers. (1) Why has America frustrated several attempts by Nigeria to purchase arms previously? (2) Why was the second transaction which was done thru a bank also confiscated? (3) How come the continuous supply of arms and ammunitions to Boko haram not been checked or traced by the UN & America, since they posses classified information on manufacture & distribution of arms? (4)Why has America refused to share security & surveillance information with the Nigerian military even though the Nigerian government allowed them to carry out various surveillance with their drones? (5) Don't you imagine that the Nigerian government could have been forced into a clandestine purchase since open legal attempts have been frustrated?
DeleteWe need to be patient to gather enough facts before we crucify our country. Don't rule out the possility of SA being used to undermine efforts of the Nigerian government to combat terrorism. We're watching!
On point 1 above: Nigeria's claim of non cooperation from the West as a whole has bn rebuffed by the U.S. Point 2: I don't really think the second was done through a bank..from what I gather I think it was anoda cash transaction(correct me if I am wrong with credible reference). Point 3 above: Boko Haram had been known to attack police stations,colleges & targets where Security forces stack their arms & ammunition; so the source of their weapons is not really in doubt..besides are the U.S responsible for protecting our territory and borders to check illegal transactions??? Point 4: America has partially discontinued its' assisstance to Nigeria because of insincerity on the part of Govt., security agencies,etc or else tell me why the military has been courtmarshalling so many soldiersin recent time amongst its rank & file??? Or why the Australian Negotiator hasn't been taken seriously & serious investigation carried out to verify his claims??? Then all stated above has made no. 5 unnecessary, but I can tell you unequivocally that no external body is frustrating Nigeria's effort; rather Nigeria is frustrating its' own effort by herself. A house divided cannot stand.
DeleteFinally we need d right ppl in the right places before we can get this country on course.
Obinna O