Presidency Refutes Accusations of Budget Padding – The Presidency vehemently refutes the accusations surrounding the alleged padding of the 2024 budget by an additional N3tn, dismissing claims made by Senator Abdul Ningi of Bauchi Central (PDP).
Senator Ningi had raised concerns, asserting that the executive was implementing a budget that deviates from the one approved on January 1, 2024. According to Ningi, the Federal Government was executing a budget that exceeded the initially passed N25tn, standing currently at N28.7tn.
Senator Ningi highlighted the discrepancy, emphasizing that the National Assembly had debated and approved a budget of N25tn, not the augmented N28.7tn that is currently in effect. He raised concerns about a concealed budget, asserting that undisclosed elements had been introduced without the knowledge of the National Assembly during the deliberations.
In his statement, Senator Ningi pointed out, “The new things we have discovered in the budget were not known to us. We haven’t seen them in the budget that was debated and considered on the floor of the National Assembly.” He specifically noted the alleged additional N3tn, questioning its destination and purpose.
The call for transparency and clarification on the budgetary matters underscores the need for a comprehensive investigation into the alleged inconsistencies, with Senator Ningi urging for a detailed account of the purported N3tn discrepancy.
The evolving narrative surrounding the budget raises concerns about accountability and transparency in the budgetary process, prompting a critical examination of the discrepancies highlighted by Senator Ningi.
Senator Abdul Ningi has announced intentions to meet with President Bola Tinubu later this week, unveiling plans to present a comprehensive report and seek clarification on the alleged budget discrepancies. He expressed the intention to directly engage with President Tinubu, seeking confirmation of his awareness or lack thereof regarding the contentious budget issues.
In response to Ningi’s claims, the Presidency, represented by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, issued a statement denying the allegations. Onanuga clarified that President Tinubu had initially presented a N27.5tn budget to the National Assembly on November 29, 2023.
This proposed budget encompassed allocations of N9.92tn for recurrent expenditure, N8.25tn for debt service, and N8.7tn for capital expenditure.
The Presidency emphasized that Senator Ningi’s assertion of the Senate passing a N25tn budget that was not formally presented was unfounded. The statement aimed to dispel any misconceptions surrounding the budget process, reiterating the transparency and due process observed in the presentation and deliberation of the proposed budget before the National Assembly.
The unfolding narrative suggests a divergence of perspectives between Senator Ningi and the Presidency, prompting a deeper scrutiny of the budgetary details and emphasizing the need for clear communication and transparency in the budget approval process.
The proposed meeting between Senator Ningi and President Tinubu adds another layer to the ongoing discourse, as stakeholders seek to address and reconcile the conflicting accounts surrounding the budget in question.
“We don’t expect a ranking Senator not to pay due attention to details before making wild claims. It is also important to let Nigerians know that the budget that President Tinubu signed into law on January 1, 2024, as passed by the National Assembly was N28.7tn.”
In response to Senator Abdul Ningi’s allegations, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, expressed dissatisfaction with the senator’s lack of meticulousness in making sweeping accusations.
He clarified that the budget signed into law by President Tinubu on New Year’s Day amounted to N28.7tn, a figure that incorporated a N1.2tn increase by the National Assembly from the executive’s proposed budget.
Onanuga emphasized, “We want to state categorically that the only 2024 budget that is being implemented is the N28.7tn budget passed by the National Assembly and signed by the President.” He further detailed that this approved budget encompassed statutory transfers to entities such as the Judiciary, National Assembly, Tetfund, and others.
Regarding Senator Ningi’s claim that the 2024 budget was allegedly anti-North, the Presidency dismissed such a characterization as baseless and unbecoming of a leader of his stature. The assertion was deemed “far-fetched,” with the Presidency challenging the credibility of the claim.
In response to these developments, the Senate announced plans to convene on Tuesday, March 12, utilizing internal mechanisms and control processes to address the unfolding matter. This step signifies the Senate’s commitment to scrutinizing the allegations and ensuring due process within its organizational structure.
The conflicting narratives surrounding the 2024 budget underscore the need for transparency, accountability, and a thorough examination of the facts involved.
The accusations against the Presidency of budget padding stem from claims made by Senator Abdul Ningi. According to Ningi, the executive implemented a budget for the year 2024 that differed from the one officially approved by the National Assembly on January 1, 2024.
He alleged that the Federal Government was executing a budget with a total of N28.7tn, which surpassed the N25tn initially passed by the National Assembly.
Senator Ningi asserted that undisclosed elements and an additional N3tn had been introduced into the budget without the knowledge of the National Assembly during their deliberations.
The concern raised by Ningi suggests a potential discrepancy between the officially approved budget and the one being implemented by the executive branch, leading to accusations of budget padding against the Presidency.
In response to these allegations, the Presidency, through its Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, refuted Senator Ningi’s claims. Onanuga clarified that President Tinubu had initially presented a N27.5tn budget to the National Assembly on November 29, 2023, and that the approved budget signed into law on January 1, 2024, was N28.7tn, reflecting a N1.2tn increase by the National Assembly.
The conflicting narratives highlight the need for transparency and accountability in the budgetary process, and the accusations of budget padding underscore the importance of scrutinizing the details of budget implementation and approval.
