Armsgate: Fayose Warns Buhari

Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti state has strongly warned President Muhammadu Buhari against his order that 18 military Generals be probed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter

Governor Fayose has warned President Buhari against army chiefs being probed by the EFCC.

Fayose said on Saturday, January 16, that if the army chiefs are to be probed for their involvement in the $2.1 billion armsgate, then it must be done in accordance with the armed

forces rules of engagement.

The governor who spoke through Lere Olayinka, his aide, said: “the $2.1 billion arms deal is a scam because all that they are just doing is to brandish figures to deceive Nigerians and demonise the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and those opposed to his (Buhari’s) dictatorship in the All Progressive Congress (APC).

READ ALSO: Five Killed As PDP, APC Clash In Niger State

“Till today, the amount they have charged people for stealing is not up to N10 billion and $2.1 billion they claimed was stolen is about N600 billion.

“The President must let Nigerians see where the arms deal is in the 2015 budget and publish details of the imaginary $2.1 billion scam.

“Also, the President must tell Nigerians how his friend, Jafaru Isa was able to return N100 million to the EFCC within three days because there are insinuations that the N100 million refunded came from the Presidency.”

PM News reports that while reiterating his support for the war against anti-corruption, Fayose said it was strange for serving military generals to be interrogated by junior police officers, adding that “the President should not act in a way that he will be perceived as ridiculing the armed forces.

“Even though I am not a military officer, I know that there is what is called orderly room trial or court martial, which military men who erred in the performance of their duties are made to go through.

“It is until they are found guilty and probably dismissed that they are made to face court trial.

“In this case, how does it feel for a serving military General to be interrogated by an Assistant Commissioner of Police?

“I think we should not destroy our democratic institutions, especially the judiciary and the armed forces because we are fighting corruption.

“Already, the President has ridiculed the judiciary by disobeying the courts and coming on television to say that orders of the court do not hold waters.

“He is also destroying the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), by turning it to commission for inconclusive elections.

“He should not ridicule the military, and men of goodwill should advise the President to thread cautiously.

READ ALSO: Biafra Agitation: Obasanjo Berated For Speech Against Biafra

“Also, the international community, especially the United States, United Kingdom and the United Nations should caution the President against actions capable of bringing down institutions of government under the guise of fighting corruption.”

The governor who in recent times has come under fire from the APC, stressed that subjecting the superior military officers to the EFCC probe may stir some badblood within the Nigerian army.

Recall that Fayose recently challenged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to act on petitions submitted to it against chieftains of the ruling APC and President Buhari’s election sponsors.

Meanwhile, Some youths in Ekiti state under the aegis of Ekiti Kete Youths Forum have called for the probe of the Fayose-led administration.

Liveintel.com Home Page