Professor at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Charles Dokubo, on Monday spoke on Nigeria’s bid to purchase arms and ammunition to help in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency; As well as the relationship between Nigeria and the United States, in light of the U.S’s refusal to sell Nigeria arms.
Speaking on Monday’s edition of Sunrise Daily, Professor Dokubo said the United States “have the right to sell to whoever they want to sell arms to,” quickly adding that “we as a nation also have the right to buy arms wherever we can”.
“If you are tied to the apron strings of a particular country and where whenever there’s a crisis they could give excuses why they are not going to sell arms to you, then I think it’s your own fault.
We should have learnt our lessons long ago, as Nigerians” he said.
He berated the United States for claiming it was working in partnership with Nigeria to fight terrorists yet refused to sell the arms needed.
On human rights abuse allegations by the U.S against Nigerian Army, Prof. Dokubo noted that America is the “worst human rights abuser”.
Dokubo disclosed that Nigeria’s options for arms purchase was unlimited as the market is large but added services such as servicing may be an issue. “If you get it from a particular source, then the maintenance of that arms becomes easier but when you have multiple sources of supply, then it becomes difficult”, he said.
He stressed that the arms were needed to fight the Boko Haram terrorists who were killing innocent citizens who had the right to be alive.
He also noted that insurgents who were arrested were prosecuted through the judicial system, which was evidence that the nation respected human rights.
“We have to be very careful. We don’t have to accept whatever they (United States) say”, he insisted.
Speaking on the implication of the situation on the relationship between the United States and Nigeria, Dokubo explained that there would always be disagreements despite a good relationship.
“We’re still working in tandem with the United States; We are part of the anti-terrorists organisation set up by United States, sponsored by the State Department. We are part of it and yet in this situation, we have difference of opinion.
