NIGERIA GOVERNMENT BOUGHT 1.4 BILLION WORTH VEHICLES TO NIGER REPUBLIC: FOREIGN POLICY OR PREBENDALISM?

NIGERIA GOVERNMENT BOUGHT 1.4 BILLION WORTH VEHICLES TO NIGER REPUBLIC: FOREIGN POLICY OR PREBENDALISM?

In simple terms, Foreign Policy can be defined as what government of a country chooses to do or not to do in relation to other countries of the world. In this case, the Nigeria foreign policy towards the Republic of Niger is to buy some vehicles for the country? 

Several questions are begging for answers: was the government right to approve and release such money for the procurement of such vehicles to the Niger Republic in light of our present economic realities? Why Niger? Is the Nigeria president using Nigeria resources to fund the government of Niger? Is it a form of political obligation between President Buhari and the president Niger having being instrumental in the election of the former? What is so special about Niger that we've to construct railway lines to the country and now we've to buy them vehicles? Of what purpose are the vehicles bought for? What does Nigeria and Nigerians stand to gain in our romance with the Niger Republic? The list is endless. 

I think the first thing we've to establish is that the president of a country is powerful, especially the Nigeria president. Like the days of the kings, they almost have the power of life and death through their actions and inactions. They can do what they like when they like to the extent the Constitution permits them, and subject to the activeness of the legislative arm, and the watchdog provided by the Judicial arm of government. However, in a situation whereby you have 'gbewu da ni' legislature like we currently have, and an improvised, and caged judiciary we have now; the President of a country like Nigeria can be liken to 'Alase leyin Orisa'. 

Back to the crux of the matter - the disbursement of fund for the purchase of vehicles to Niger Republic. Legally speaking, the President has the power to do so. Buying vehicles to a neighbouring countries is well within the power of the President just as Nigeria receive economic aid or grants from Super Power like USA, UK, China, among others. 

On moral ground, it is neither here nor there too. On one hand, we can look at it as Nigeria playing the big brother role it's expected to play in Africa and West Africa in particular? In those days, Africa used to be the 'Centre Piece' of Nigeria foreign policy. What this means is that after consideration of Nigeria national interest, the next interest Nigeria will like to look at is the Africa interests; and this accounted for the prominent role Nigeria has been played over the years at different times such as during the formation of OAU (now AU), the establishment of ECOWAS, ECOMOG, the deployment of troops to war prone African States, and even the release of fund for payment of teachers salaries in neighbouring countries, technical aides support, among others. 

Be that as it may, some will argue that those support were justified in those days as Nigeria was financially solvent, unlike now when we're living under the burden of debts such that our generated revenue is not adequate to service our debts. So what is the justification at this time when over 100 million Nigerians live in abject poverty? What is the rationale when ASUU has been on strike for over a month in which major aspect of their demands is money, yet our president is embarking on Father's Christmas? What is the basis when our roads are in shambles, hospitals in comatose, and virtually all aspects of the national economy are in puerile?

Let me play a devil's advocate for the government here - yes, we've problems but our problems are insignificant compared to other countries around us. Ghana is going to IMF for the 18 times to borrow money. Nigerians are not roaming about other countries like we see the Nigeriens in our streets. We need to be our brother's keeper. The vehicles are needed to ensure the safety of lives and property in Niger, which we also rob off on our country internal security. 

Perhaps, this argument would have been sellable if this government is not renowned for nepotism. Perhaps, it would have been justifiable if this government had done similar things to other countries like Republic of Benin. Perhaps, this explanation would have suffice if the appointments of this government have not been skewed in favour of one section of the country? Maybe, we would have bought into it, if this government has lived above board, and be seeing to be swift in responding to national issues. 

Unfortunately, I stand to be corrected, this government has been found wanting in most, if not all the cases enumerated above, so we can rightly concluded that the decision of the government to buy vehicles to the Niger Republic is more of prebendalism than foreign policy in its altruistic form. 

Sanmi Adekola is a Social Commentator and Entrepreneur.