Saraki on $1bn insurgency fund: APC govt doesn’t spend money without due process

Senate President Bukola Saraki says the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government does not spend funds without due process.

Saraki said this on Thursday after Ike Ekeweremadu, deputy senate president, informed the upper legislative chamber that they were supposed to debate the $1 billion meant to be withdrawn from the excess crude account for the fight against Boko Haram insurgents.

The deputy senate president demanded an explanation on why the matter was not listed on the order paper.

Samuel Anyanwu, senator representing Imo east, had drawn the attention of the senate to the issue on Wednesday.

But Anyanwu was absent when Ekweremadu raised the issue on the floor of the red chamber on Thursday.

Saraki explained that the motion would not be taken because Anyanwu was not around.

He assured the senators that the money would not be spent until they debate the matter.

“As you can see, he is not here. So, we have to put it down. Next legislative day is when we resume. It would be the first item on the order paper,” he said.

“We cannot take it when the person is not here and it’s a very important motion that needs to be delivered very well.

“It cannot be delegated. We would take it. I assure you that we would take it… our party does not do things like that; we would not spend money without following due process. I am assuring you that the money would not be spent until we come back and debate it. Leader, I hope you heard the commitment I made on behalf of all of us.”