News Rendezvous

In a bold move to address the economic challenges facing Nigeria, APC Chieftain and former Arewa Consultative Forum scribe, Sen. Abubakar Girei, has passionately called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to establish an Independent Judicial Commission of Enquiry in order to recover Nigeria’s stolen funds in the last twelve years.
According to Girei, this commission would conduct a thorough forensic investigation into the mismanagement of funds from various sectors, including fuel subsidy, VAT, and oil theft.

Speaking at a press conference in Yola, Adamawa state, Sen. Girei emphasized the need for the commission to probe years of fiscal mismanagement, particularly in fuel subsidy, forex mismanagement by the Central Bank of Nigeria and commercial banks, and the irregular grants of tax waivers across the nation.

He urged the commission to leave no stone unturned in recovering stolen funds.

Expressing concern over the current economic crisis and social unrest in the country, Sen. Girei pointed to the substantial funds siphoned out of Nigeria’s economy as a root cause of the current upheaval.

He commended President Tinubu for his recent engagements with state governors, emphasizing the president’s capacity to lead the country to recovery.

Sen. Girei asserted, “I want to use this singular opportunity to further appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to, as a matter of critical urgency, establish an Independent Judicial Commission of Enquiry.”
He called for a comprehensive investigation into fraud associated with tax, VAT, and other revenues, with a focus on the past twelve years.

Highlighting the impact of corruption on the nation, Sen. Girei insisted that those responsible for looting public funds should face justice recommending the establishment of a special purpose entity to investigate, recover, and punish individuals found guilty. Additionally, he called for litigation against all indicted public servants.

The APC Chieftain stressed that the looting of the nation’s wealth could be seen in the irregularities in the administration of fuel subsidy removal and in the forex disparities, resulting in the current hardships and inflation in the country. He expressed confidence that President Tinubu would bring forth lasting solutions to alleviate the challenges.

In addressing broader issues, Sen. Girei proposed a Presidential Order for political office holders to sacrifice 40% of their salaries for two years. He urged the approval of supplementary budgets for agricultural development, security challenges, and the implementation of the “Oronsanye Report” to reduce governance costs.

Sen. Girei called for caution in implementing international financial institutions’ policies, emphasizing the need to tackle the smuggling of petroleum resources to neighboring countries.

He criticized the unnecessary dollarization of the economy, urging a stop to the subsidy payment to independent marketers.
Sen. Girei advocated for the total liberation of the local government system and for constitutional reforms to restore their independence.
He urged for the establishment of state police to complement national security efforts, stressing the potential for Nigeria to be among the most industrialized nations if governed effectively.