Oshiomhole Demands Probe of Funds Appropriated to Nigeria Army, Says Everyone Must be Accountable for Their Actions

Senator Adams Oshiomhole representing Edo North in the Nigerian Senate has said that everyone in Nigeria, irrespective of their political, economic or social status, must be held accountable for their actions.

During plenary on the floor of the Senate, Senator Oshiomhole specifically said the Nigerian Army must be accountable for their actions, noting that if the military is not made to account for resources appropriated to them, the nation might be wasting scarce resources.

Oshiomhole said the Nigerian Senate needed to carry out security audit, money appropriated to the army, who got what, how was it used and other issues so that the Nigerian government would know that the funds appropriated for use by the Nigerian army are used for what they are appropriated for.

"What I want to say with profound respect to my colleagues is that it appears we have not carried out audit of our resolutions. By this I'm referring to each of those resolutions we have passed in the past.

" We need to ask ourselves what specific actions have been taken based on those resolutions we took. If past resolutions did not change anything, why do we believe that today’s own will be different, why should we waste our precious time on making resolutions that are not implemented?

"I want to draw your attention Mr. President to one particular one, because everybody in Nigeria must be accountable, whether you are under arms or you are armless.

"We all lamented in shock about one kidnapping that took place in Kebbi State. The governor of the state cried out that military personnel that were in a particular school were ordered to withdraw, and about 40 minutes later, kidnappers came and took away about 200 of the children.

"This senate under your leadership passed a resolution that the military high command should disclose the name of that officer that gave the order and that action should be taken against him.

"We need to know if that action has been taken against the officer, to satisfy us that the withdrawal of the army officer was not willful or that people who are entrusted to protect us that some of them have not become part of our problem.

"Mr. President, I have always tried to be present in everyday that this house is sitting. As I speak, I’m not aware that we have gotten a response to that simple enquiry."

The federal lawmaker said "if the armed forces is not accountable, if we do not carry out due audit and oversight, or resources that we have all been blackmailed to appropriate to protect Nigerian, then we are yet to do what are supposed to do."

He added: "We need to carry out security audit, money appropriated, who got what, how was it used and I still insist this senate is entitled to have a reply to the question we ask. Who withdrew those people for the children to be carried away."

"I believe that any time we pass a motion, we are entitled to know the feedback arising from the response of the appropriate agencies.

"While we commend Mr. President and commander-in-chief of the armed forces for all he has done and is doing to provide leadership, we should call for comprehensive audit of all the releases made to the armed force. Because there seems to be a gap."