The presidency has released a statement reacting to an article on UK
Telegraph, titled “Children Face Death by Starvation in Northern
Nigeria" which was
published
on Saturday July 30th. The news platform said Western officials are
worried that President Buhari is using some of the financial aid from UK
to persecute Christian political rivals instead of tackling Islamist
militants, Boko Haram.
"Britain’s Department for International Development contributes an
estimated £870 million to Nigeria to support the government’s ability to
fight Boko Haram, which has been responsible for a number of terrorist
outrages, including the kidnapping of hundreds of Nigerian schoolgirls.
But Western officials are worried that Mr Buhari is using some of the
aid to persecute Christian political rivals instead of tackling Islamist
militants".
Reacting to the publication, the senior special assistant to President
Buhari on media and publicity, Shehu Garba, said the publication by
Telegraph is strenghtening Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria. Garba denied
insinuations by the publication that President Buhari was working
against Christians in Nigeria. He also denied claims that UK sends
financial aids to Nigeria in the fight against Boko Haram. Read his
statement below...
The London Telegraph’s article “Children Face Death by Starvation in
Northern Nigeria" (30th July, 2016) repeats a claim from an earlier
piece "Nigeria Using UK Aid to Persecute President's Political Foes"
(12th April, 2016) - that Nigeria is diverting UK aid monies away from
defeating the Islamist terror group Boko Haram towards those the
newspaper identifies as political opponents of the Administration. This
is as incorrect as it is unhelpful.
These claims in both articles are attributed to an unnamed “source” in
the United States, and “Western officials”.
Yet when the first article was published it drew the condemnation of the
US Embassy in Abuja as having drawn conclusions directly opposite to
the position of the US government.
To state the facts: the UK government does not give development aid to
the Nigerian administration for use in military operations against Boko
Haram. Where British military support – such as intelligence - is
provided, it is precisely and only, given for operations directly
against Boko Haram. Similarly, the Nigerian Government is in no position
to divert aid monies used for emergency relief for refugees or IDP
camps for any other purpose, as these are dispensed directly by DFID,
USAID, the United Nations, the International Red Cross, Doctors without
Borders and many other organizations - with which we enjoy excellent
relations.
The humanitarian situation in these camps is real.
The Administration remains deeply concerned about the medical, health
and nutrition challenges and we are doing everything with the limited
resources we have at our disposal to improve the situation. However, the
blame for the plight of refugees lies with Boko Haram. They are its
cause, not the Nigerian Government.
In the light of ongoing efforts, we regret the recent attack on the UN
humanitarian convoy in the Northeastern region and are encouraged by the
world body’s determination to continue rendering assistance to the
displaced victims. That the attack was repelled by Nigerian troops
escorting the convoy shows precisely how the Government and humanitarian
agencies are working together.
As for claims that the Administration is targeting Christians and the
opposition, these are without foundation.
Since assuming office, President Buhari has treated all Nigerians
without bias for ethnicity or religion - as the composition of his
cabinet and the policies and programmes of his Administration
demonstrate.
To suggest his government as deepening Muslim-Christian division is not
only untrue, but plays into the hands of Boko Haram who wish to divide
Nigerians along religious lines. Fighting this group is key priority of
President Buhari’s Administration. Indeed the international community
has widely acknowledged his determination to defeat terrorism in Nigeria
and the entire Lake Chad Basin.
There is nothing to gain by attempting to mould public opinion against
these facts. Therefore we invite The Telegraph to visit Nigeria: to
witness first hand not only the challenges we face, but the
Administration’s determination to confront them.
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