Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has raised a red flag over the shocking revelation of an alleged N3 trillion padding in the 2024 budget. In a statement, Obi expressed deep concern and labeled the reported discrepancies as not just a breach of public trust but a matter of national shame.
The uproar began when Bauchi Central Senator, Ningi, disclosed that the National Assembly approved a budget of N25 trillion for 2024, contrasting the Federal Government’s implementation of N28.7 trillion. The revelation, made in an interview with BBC Hausa, unveiled irregularities detected by a private auditor hired by Northern lawmakers.
In a swift response, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, refuted Ningi’s claims, asserting that the government allowed a democratic increase of N1.2 trillion by the National Assembly. This conflicting narrative has ignited a firestorm of questions about the transparency and accountability of Nigeria’s financial management.
Peter Obi, adding his voice to the national chorus of concern, called on both the Presidency and the National Assembly to provide a public explanation for the alleged N3 trillion budget padding. The Labour Party stalwart emphasized the severity of the situation, pointing out that the disputed amount exceeds 10% of the national budget, surpassing the combined official budgets for education and health.
Expressing his dismay, Obi decried the lack of transparency and accountability in managing public funds, asserting that it directly undermined the trust placed in the government by the Nigerian people. His impassioned call for a thorough explanation resonates with citizens demanding clarity on the purpose and process behind the alleged budget padding.
As the controversy unfolds, Nigeria anxiously awaits responses from key stakeholders, hoping for a swift resolution to this unsettling chapter in the nation’s financial narrative. 🇳🇬🔍