The National Security Adviser (NSA), AIG Nuhu Ribadu (rtd), has accused the previous administration of leaving Nigeria bankrupt, leaving no money for the Bola Tinubu administration to run the country.
Muhammadu Buhari led Nigeria from May 29, 2015, to May 29, 2023, when he handed over to Tinubu.
Ribadu spoke at the Chief of Defence Intelligence Annual Conference 2023 with the theme, “Leveraging Defence Diplomacy, and Effective Regional Collaboration for Enhanced National Security” in Abuja on Monday.
Ribadu, who is the pioneer Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), said that the Tinubu administration would do everything to ensure that the situation does not impair budgetary allocations, especially to the military.
“I assure you that the Federal Government will not rest on its laurels 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 inherited a 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. It is serious!
“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,” she said.
The conference was attended by Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru; Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle; Permanent Secretary in the defence ministry, Ibrahim Kana; the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, and other service chiefs.