On Monday, Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser (NSA), bemoaned the fact that Nigeria was already bankrupt under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration before President Bola Tinubu took office.
Ribadu claims that Tinubu took over an insolvent nation, and that the money coming in under his leadership, led by Bola Tinubu, is going toward paying back the debts incurred.
The NSA stated this on Monday in Abuja at the Chief of Defence Intelligence Annual Conference 2023.
He, however, said that despite the financial constraint that had affected budgetary allocations, the Federal Government would do everything within its power to ensure a robust and viable defence management and apparatus in the country.
He said: “I assure you that the Federal Government will not rest on its oars in ensuring a robust and viable defence management and security apparatus to address contemporary challenges even in the face of enormous budgetary constraints.
“Yes, we’re facing budgetary constraints. It is okay for me to tell you. Fine, it is important for you to know that we have inherited a very difficult situation, literally a bankrupt country, no money, to a point where we can say that all the money we’re getting now, we’re paying back what was taken.
“But this administration is doing its best to meet our requirements, particularly the armed forces, and I believe that you leaders will be able to testify to that,”
Ribadu also noted that the armed forces under the current leadership had shown serious commitment to addressing the prevailing security challenges bedevilling the country.
“Let us come together as one and continue to support our armed forces and other security agencies with this work of securing our country for peace and stability.
“They have done an amazingly good job without talking and I believe that with the support and the resolve of the leadership we have today in our country, things will only be better”, the NSA added.
