US Grant: Buhari Should Explain $500 Shortfall, Says SDP

Onyebuchi Ezigbo

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has charged President Muhammadu Buhari to come clean on the true amount of grant extended to Nigeria by the United States Government.

Following differences in the figure quoted by both President Buhari and his host, President Donald Trump, during their meeting in the White House, SDP said it had become necessary to demand clarifications on the exact amount.

In a statement issued yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Marian Dick Tolofari, SDP chided the president for failing to disclose to Nigerians the actual figure for the yearly grant from US financial assistance to Nigeria.

President Buhari who is the prophet of anti-corruption should account for the undisclosed $500 million. President Trump understood the fact the president’s speech was restricted and doctored on prepared speech.

While President Buhari was being commended over the anti-graft campaign, Nigeria is still yet to secure any conviction on any corruption case pending in our court, we see the development as grand standing, it said.

The party faulted President Buhari for being silent about the pressing needs of Nigerian living in the US which included the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA). Fifty per cent of the beneficiaries of DACA programme are Nigerians

SDP spokesperson also accused President Buhari of making a numerical error while talking about the Dapchi abducted children during the meeting with President Trump.

SDP quoted Buhari having said that out, the 106 that were kidnapped, the federal government got 100 back, four died, and that one is still held in captivity.

“The president did not tell Nigerians the truth, girls that died are five not four. It’s preposterous to note that Chief Security Officer of Nigeria does not know the figure of the dead girls,” it said.