PMB'S IMPEACHMENT FOR FIGTER JETS: HOSTED FOR THE SECOND TIME IN BLAIR HOUSE
PMB'S IMPEACHMENT FOR FIGTER JETS: HOSTED FOR THE SECOND TIME IN BLAIR HOUSE
By:
Nurudeen Dauda
April 30, 2018
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Permit me to ask, what is the significance of Blair House to the "scholars" and "students" of foreign policy? Please come with me!
Nigeria's relations with US during our immediate past administration was at its "lowest ebbed" following the Senator Patrick Leahy Act.The US government banned and or refused to sell arms to Nigeria citing the "Leahy Act" as the reason. It is sad to note that, after fifty -four years of the establishment of the country’s weapons manufacturing firm, the Defence Industries Corporation (DICON), the country still relies heavenly on imported arms.
The US Leahy Law prohibits the US Department of State and Department of Defence from providing military assistance to foreign military units that violate human rights with impunity. The law is named after its sponsor, Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont. The US government alleged that the Nigerian Army was engaged in human right violations, such as : rapping, torture , extrajudicial killings and forceful disappearance etc., an accusation which has been dismissed by the Army.
The accusation was said to be the main reason the US government refused to sell weapons to the Nigerian Army during the immediate past government and was even alleged to have went ahead to stop Israel from selling Cobra helicopters to Nigeria.
Former U.S. President Barack Obama refused to sale 12 Super Tucano to the Nigerian Air Force. But President Donald Trump has approved the transaction which will support Nigeria’s efforts to fight Boko Haram militants and other internal security challenges .The sale of the 12 Tucano aircraft, with weapons and services, is worth about $496 million, which includes thousands of bombs and rockets. The propeller-driven plane with reconnaissance, surveillance and attack capabilities.
In my observation, one could only understand the "eagerness" of PMB in approving the payment of $496m to the US government for the purchase of 12 Tucano Fighter Jets which angered some legislators to call for his impeachment if one understands the situation his administration finds itself due to Leahy Act which banned the immediate past government of Nigeria from buying arms in US.
In my view, in whatever situation the Executive finds itself, respecting the country's laws remain sacrosanct . The country's laws require legislative approvals for any expenditure to be carried out , it is important for the executive to always comply with the laws of land.
In my understanding ,the ongoing unhealthy Executive -Legislative relationship might be the reason for the issuance of an "anticipatory" approvals by the President which was described as unconstitutional by some legislators .
Perhaps the President might have sense delay in approval and or rejection of his request which might cost his fight against Boko Haram Terrorism . However, PMB's administration must find a way of ensuring lasting healthy Executive -Legislative Relations for the betterment of Nigeria .
However, Blair House is a very important residence in American history, it is a highly revered residence for its "Special Guests". It is the official residence of the highly respected guests of US. Hosting a guest by the American government in Blair House is the "peak" of honour that a US guest could be given .
The US government revered Blair House in such a way that only few notable guests, such as : Queen Elizabeth II, King Juan Carlos of Spain, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are hosted in the House .
Of the twelve leaders Nigeria had and or has from independence to date only Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa in 1961 and President Buhari in 2016 and 2018 were hosted in the House .Other Nigerian Presidents during their official visits to Washington D.C., were said to usually stayed at the Westin Grand Hotel or Waldorf-Astoria Hotel and or Pierre Hotel.
The Blair House, just steps from the North lawn of the White House, is the official presidential guest house. It is just across the street from the White House, at 1651 Pennsylvania Ave.
Blair House was built in the 1820s as a home for Joseph Lovell, the eighth surgeon general of the US Army. In 1836, Francis Blair, a close friend and supporter of President Andrew Jackson, bought the home for $6,500. The US government then purchased it in 1942, while Franklin D. Roosevelt was president.
Only those who are officially invited by the president are allowed to stay there. But an exception is made for presidents waiting to be sworn into office during the transition period. More so, when a former president dies, his family members are also allowed to stay at the residence before the funeral.
May God bless Nigeria!