President Muhammadu Buhari has written to the Nigerian Senate, seeking approval for the purchase of six Tucano helicopters worth $496,374,470 (151, 394, 421, 035 Naira) from the US.
The Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki who read the letter on Wednesday at plenary disclosed that the helicopters, according to the President's letter are meant to support the drive to improve the security of the nation. The President expressed optimism that that the National Assembly would "have no objection to the purchase of the highly specialized aircraft which is critical to National Security".
After reading the letter on the floor of the Senate, the Senate President also confirmed it on his verified twitter handle @SPNigeria. The tweet read "UPDATE: The President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has just read an Executive Communication from President Muhammadu Buhari, informing the Senate about his 'anticipatory approval' for the release of $496,374,470 to purchase 12 Super Tucano aircraft."
A similar letter was read at the House of Representatives by Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara.
Reacting, House members who had berated the President for granting approval and release of the funds for the helicopters without approval from the National Assembly said the letter was merely an afterthought as the expenditure had already been done.
