Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District, has expressed concerns over the activities of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Nigeria, following serious allegations made by U.S. Congressman Scott Perry.
Perry, a Republican from Pennsylvania, recently accused USAID of funding Boko Haram and other terrorist organizations.
In light of these disturbing claims, the Nigerian Senate acted swiftly on Wednesday, summoning top security officials for an investigation.
National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, National Intelligence Agency Director-General Mohammed Mohammed, and State Security Services Director-General Oluwatosin Ajayi were all called to address the allegations.
Read Also: No evidence USAID funds Boko Haram, Mills US Envoy counters lawmaker
During an interview on Arise TV Thursday, Senator Ndume supported calls for a full investigation, adding that the operations of USAID in Nigeria appear suspicious. He pointed out that the agency’s activities are problematic because there is little oversight, with U.S. officials reportedly visiting locations “where nobody else goes.”
Ndume’s remarks have further fueled the controversy, calling into question the transparency and accountability of foreign aid programs in the region.
He said, “USAID is a big department in the United States established to help other countries and for their purpose. The way they operate makes it so suspicious in the sense that they don’t allow for oversight, and then they go to places where nobody goes.
“They also do certain things in secret. That is so worrisome, but then, this is somebody that is coming under the pretense of helping you when you are in need, so you don’t even have the right to ask questions.
“This is an opportunity for us to investigate since the U.S. itself has closed down USAID funding because of what they called wasteful spending.”
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