SDP presidential candidate faults Senate’s refusal to probe military spending

The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Adewole Adebayo, has criticised the Senate’s decision to reject a proposal seeking an investigation into military spending despite rising insecurity across the country.

Adebayo argued that accountability in defence expenditure should not be sacrificed under the guise of protecting troop morale, insisting that Nigerians deserve transparency on how security funds are being utilised.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Monday, the SDP chieftain questioned the effectiveness of government spending on security, noting that huge budgetary allocations had failed to produce significant improvements in the nation’s security situation.

He said, “The issue is not just budgeting money for defence. It is whether the money reaches the armed forces and is properly utilised. This administration budgeted N5.413tn for defence and security without any positive result.

“The legislative arms of government said they want to probe, but the Senate told Nigerians that it will undermine the troops’ morale and operational effectiveness. The truth of the matter is this: the money in question is even supposed to be for future defence, not for security or intelligence.

“So, don’t disturb yourself about that drama in the National Assembly. I can tell you that even the budget that is there now will not reach the armed forces. The budgeting system in Nigeria operates traditionally like an election. They will say we must hold elections every four years, yet it will be conducted anyhow.”

Adebayo also faulted the government’s approach to tackling insecurity, particularly the policy of reintegrating repentant terrorists, saying Nigerians deserved more effective strategies capable of protecting communities from violent attacks.

Despite his criticism of the administration, he maintained that the country’s challenges remained surmountable if leaders focused on practical governance and the welfare of citizens.

“These are problems we can overcome, but leadership must be willing to do what is right,” he said.

On electoral reforms, the SDP stalwart called for constitutional amendments to guarantee the full independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

According to him, the power of the President to appoint electoral commissioners undermines public confidence in the electoral process.

“INEC cannot be truly independent when politicians appoint those running it,” he argued.

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His comments come weeks after the Senate rejected a proposal to investigate military spending during a debate on the worsening security situation in the country following renewed bandit attacks in Oyo and Kwara states.

During the debate, senators expressed concern over the rising cases of kidnapping and violent crime nationwide.

However, the discussion shifted when Senator Adams Oshiomhole proposed a review of military expenditure, arguing that security funds should be subjected to greater scrutiny.

Oshiomhole maintained that repeated Senate resolutions on insecurity would amount to little without proper implementation and accountability, while Senator Sani Musa backed the call, noting that substantial defence allocations had not translated into improved security outcomes.

Although Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin acknowledged concerns over accountability in the management of security funds, efforts to include a probe of military expenditure among the Senate’s resolutions failed after no senator seconded the motion.

A subsequent attempt to modify the resolution also failed to secure support.

The Senate eventually adopted its resolutions on insecurity without approving any investigation into military spending.

Defending the decision days later, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele argued that investigating military spending in the midst of ongoing security operations would be counterproductive.

According to him, subjecting the military to scrutiny in the middle of an ongoing conflict would amount to putting troops on trial at a critical time, a move he described as unpatriotic and potentially harmful to national security efforts.

He maintained that the Senate’s priority should be supporting security operations rather than questioning defence expenditure during active military engagements.

Bamidele also clarified that the Senate was not advocating the absence of accountability in the use of security funds.

He added that while oversight remains important, inquiries into the cost and management of military operations are better conducted after hostilities have subsided rather than during a period of active conflict.