Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, has decried the agony of Nigeria’s crumbling economy, which has reached untenable proportions.
The group, however, fearlessly called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to summon his righteous determination, by probing his predecessor, ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, his Ministers and aides.
Ohanaeze in a statement signed by the Secretary General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, said the time has come for Tinubu’s administration to officially launch an executive probe into the gross mismanagement of Nigeria’s economy during Former President Buhari’s administration from 2015 to 2023.
“We demand an investigation into the reckless external borrowing, which failed to materialize into any visible projects for which the funds were intended. Additionally, the monumental re-looting of recovered funds from corrupt individuals and corporate organizations, orchestrated by Buhari’s ministers, close aides, and family members, must be urgently addressed,” Ohanaeze said in a statement.
According to the group, “The suffering endured by Ndigbo and the Nigerian people, in abject poverty and indescribable hardship, is a direct result of the incompetence of Buhari’s economic teams and the audacious re-looting of recovered assets.
The full statement read:
“Former President Muhammadu Buhari, despite successfully securing the presidency on his fourth attempt, presided over what is widely regarded as the most corrupt, nepotistic, inefficient, and ineffective government in Nigerian history.
“Through his promotion of the Fulanization agenda and the empowerment of Myetti Allah, the quasi-apex group driving his divisive Fulanization ideology, Nigeria has been plunged into a state of agony and economic turmoil.
“The nation experienced a recession twice between 2015 and 2023, a direct consequence of Buhari’s woeful mismanagement of the Nigerian economy.
“It is with utmost urgency that Ndigbo and the Nigerian people call for an immediate comprehensive probe of Former President Buhari’s administration, one that goes beyond focusing solely on former CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele and his family.
“We demand the swift arrest and prosecution of Buhari’s ministers, close aides, service chiefs, family members, and associates.
“To prevent the further spread of economic hardship protests, temporarily halted by the just-concluded African Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, President Tinubu must initiate an unescapable, all-encompassing probe of Buhari’s administration.
“Nigerians are left in disbelief as they witness how Buhari’s ministers, close aides, and family members have amassed unimaginable wealth, surpassing not only their states but even the combined wealth of all 36 Nigerian states.
“These individuals must be compelled to return all the “re-looted” funds, as this marks the crucial first step towards Nigeria’s economic recovery.
“Should the federal government attempt to evade our rightful call for this probe or succumb to pressure to abandon it, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Secretary General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro says that, OHANAEZE NDIGBO stands ready to pursue legal action.
“We will initiate court proceedings to compel President Tinubu, utilizing his constitutional and executive powers vested in the office of the President, to officially launch an extensive investigation into the actions of Buhari’s former ministers, service chiefs, close aides, and family members.
“Recovering all stolen funds from Nigeria’s treasury is paramount, particularly in light of the escalating cost of living and the forex exchange crisis, caused by the perceived hoarding of looted billions by Buhari’s ministers, close aides, the cabal, family members, and associates.
“We cannot ignore the “dollarization” of the Nigerian economy by Buhari’s economic teams. It is widely acknowledged that this probe will serve as a vital measure to curb corruption within our system. While Buhari may be shielded from the probe due to his presidential status, it is worth noting that in 2015, his ministers and close aides abused the office of the President, which Buhari occupied, to launch an unrelenting probe against the family members, ministers, and associates of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
“Therefore, we also demand the immediate reintroduction of a robust whistle-blowing policy, a crucial tool that enables Nigerians to provide valuable information to the federal government, thus safeguarding the economy and preventing the complete collapse of the Naira. Ohanaeze fervently prays that President Tinubu will find the courage to meet the expectations of Nigerians by holding the treasury looters in Buhari’s administration accountable.
“In conclusion, Ohanaeze Ndigbo remains unwavering in our commitment to forcefully advocate for the rights and interests of all Nigerians. The urgency of launching a thorough investigation into the extensive financial misconduct described above cannot be overstated. We implore President Tinubu to heed our call and demonstrate unwavering leadership in salvaging our crumbling economy.
