President Muhammadu Buhari has sought the help of the United States President Barack Obama to recover $150 billion looted from Nigeria by former public officeholders. In an article published yesterday in the Washington Post as he began a four-day visit to the US, Buhari lamented the plundering of Nigeria’s commonwealth by public officeholders. In 2014, the US took control of more than $480 million siphoned away by former Head of State, the late Gen. Sani Abacha and his associates into banks around the world.
His plea came a day after the US had offered to assist Nigeria to trace looted funds. Washington has broad powers to track suspicious funds and enforce sanctions against individuals. As part of activities marking his state visit, Buhari, who arrived in Washington on Sunday, met with US Vice-President Joe Biden and Obama during which he commended the US for its contribution in ensuring a peaceful transition in Nigeria.
Buhari, in the Washington Post article, outlined efforts by his administration to fight corruption and Boko Haram. He said: “This lack of a governance framework has allowed many of those in charge, devoid of any real checks and balances, to plunder (Nigeria). The fact that I now seek Obama’s assistance in locating and returning $150 billion in funds stolen in the past decade and held in foreign bank accounts on behalf of former corrupt officials is a testament to how badly Nigeria has been run. This way of conducting our affairs cannot continue.
“Indeed, the failure of governance, it can be argued, has been as much a factor in Nigeria’s inability thus far to defeat Boko Haram as have been issues with the military campaign itself.” According to him, an end must be put to impunity in the Nigerian system through instilling good management and governance.
“So, the path we must take is simple, even if it is not easy: First, instill rules and good governance; second, install officials who are experienced and capable of managing state agencies and ministries; and third, seek to recover funds stolen under previous regimes so that this money can be invested in Nigeria for the benefit of all of our citizens. “We seek the support and partnership of the United States in these tasks. The importance of the fight against terrorism and corruption in Nigeria, Africa’s most powerful economy and largest populace, cannot be underestimated,” he stated.
The president also gave an assurance that his cabinet will be in place by September. He said: “As I meet with President Obama today (Monday), I will be discussing my plans for critical reforms. So, too, will I discuss why the formation of my administration is taking time and, crucially, why it must. Already there are voices saying these changes are taking too long – even though only six weeks have passed since my inauguration. I hear such calls,but this task cannot and should not be rushed. “When cabinet ministers are appointed in September, it will be some months after I took the oath of office. It is worth noting that Obama himself did not have his full cabinet in place for several months after first taking office; the United States did not cease to function in the interim.
“In Nigeria’s case, it would neither be prudent nor serve the interests of sound government to have made these appointments immediately on my elevation to the presidency; instead, Nigeria must first put new rules of conduct and good governance in place.” In the piece, Buhari also sought for collaboration on the anti-terror war. “Our allies can provide much-needed military training and intelligence as our soldiers take the war effort to Boko Haram,” he added. Buhari stated that his government would give Nigeria the much-desired change.
“I was elected on a platform of change. I know this is what the people of Nigeria desire more than anything else. I know they are impatient for action. I realise the world waits to see evidence that my administration will be different from all those that came before. “Yet reforming my country after so many years of abuse cannot be achieved overnight. In our campaigns against both Boko Haram and corruption, we should remain steadfast and remember, as it is said: “Have patience. All things become difficult before they become easy,” he said.
However, as part of his engagements yesterday, Buhari met with Biden during which the two leaders shared views on the spate of insecurity in the North-East being perpetrated by Boko Haram. Biden hosted Buhari to a breakfast meeting.
A statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Mr. Femi Adesina, said the meeting afforded both leaders to compare notes on the terror war. He said America had been beleaguered by terrorists, who launched massive attacks that killed hundreds in September 2001, while Nigeria battles the Boko Haram sect causing carnage in the North-East. According to Adesina, during the meeting, which held at the Naval Observatory, official residence of the US Vice-President, Biden shared with Buhari what America had learnt from the terror war. Biden told Buhari that victory cannot come from military option alone.
He said military option must be combined with strong socio-economic support programmes. Biden assured Nigeria that America would work with it in that direction. He also said Washington would assist Nigeria in rebuilding its economy, but Abuja must tackle corruption and weak institutions to benefit from reforms.
Buhari thanked the US for standing by Nigeria in the run-up to the 2015 general elections, noting that the visit of the Secretary of State, John Kerry, was critical as it sent home the message that America would not brook the subversion of the people’s will. Speaking on oil theft, Buhari estimated losses at between $10 billion and $20 billion, stressing that such income could have been deployed with salutary impact on various spheres of national life like education and healthcare, among others. Both America and Nigeria pledged renewed commitment to work as partners at the very insightful meeting. After the meeting with Biden, Buhari met Obama who expressed confidence in the ability of his visitor to tackle the multiple challenges facing Nigeria.
Obama said Buhari came with a clear agenda to tackle corruption, insecurity occasioned by the activities of Boko Haram sect and other violence criminal activities. He said his administration would continue to assist Nigeria in overcoming its challenges. Obama said: “It is a great pleasure to welcome President Buhari and his delegation here in the White House for his first visit since the historic election that took place. “Nigeria is obviously one of the most important countries in the World, one of the most important countries in the African continent.
“Recently, we saw an election in which a peaceful transition to a new government took place. Nevertheless, the people of Nigeria understand that only through a peaceful political process that can change takes place. “President Buhari came into office with reputation for integrity and a very clear agenda, that is to make sure that he has been bringing safely security and peace to his country. “He is very concerned about the spread and the violence that is taking place there and the atrocities and has a very clear agenda in defeating Boko Haram and extremists.”
In his remarks, Buhari commended Washington for mounting pressure on the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan to conduct a free and fair election in Nigeria. According to him, Nigeria will forever remain grateful to America for this singular act.
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