Following allegations of budget padding levelled against the executive by Senator representing Bauchi Central district, Abdul Ningi, the presidency has come out debunk claims of jerking up the 2024 Appropriation Act by N3 trillion.
Ningi, speaking under the aegis of the Northern Senators’ Forum in an interview with BBC Hausa Service stated that the Bola Tinubu-led administration was implementing a different budget different from the N25 trillion budget passed by the National Assembly.
Debunking the claims of Ningi, Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga in a statement posted on his verified X (formerly Twitter) said a budget of N27.5 trillion and not N25 trillion as (claimed by Ningi) was presented before a joint session of the National Assembly on November 29, 2023.
“To begin with, President Tinubu on November 29, 2023 presented a budget of N27.5 Trillion to the joint session of the National Assembly made up of N9.92 Trillion recurrent expenditure, Debt Service N8.25 Trillion and Capital Expenditure N8.7 Trillion.
“This was widely reported. He did not present a budget of N25 Trillion.
“Contrary to the strange view expressed by Senator Ningi, there was no way the Senate could have debated and passed a N25 Trillion budget that was not presented to the National Assembly.” the statement partly reads.
Onanuga further stated that the National Assembly, in exercising it’s legislative powers increased the budget by N1.2 trillion summing the budget upto N28.7 trillion which the president signed on January 1, 2024.
The statement further reads, “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 N28.7 Trillion.
“The National Assembly, in its wisdom, increased the amount proposed by the Executive by N1.2 Trillion.
“In the spirit of democracy which allows give and take, President Tinubu didn’t withhold his assent to the Appropriation Bill as passed by the National Assembly. We want to stress that if the budget figure was increased and made to be different from what the Executive proposed, it was the National Assembly that jacked it up in exercise of its power of appropriation.”
The presidential aide cautioned the Senator against whipping up tribal sentiments as a a result of the 2024 Appropriation Act
.
He said, “On the uncharitable claim that the 2024 budget was anti-North, we found such position as canvassed by Senator Ningi as too far-fetched and unbecoming of a leader of his status.
“President Tinubu is leading a government that is fair and equitable to every part and segment of Nigeria. In terms of funding, distribution of capital and priority projects, the 2024 Appropriation Act was not skewed against any section of the country.
“The North as an integral part of the country is well covered in all areas, from security to agriculture, healthcare to education, and other important infrastructure such as roads, rail, dams, power and irrigation projects to support all year-round agriculture.
“It is concerning that a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria can employ such primordial antics to fuel divisive rhetoric at a time well-meaning Nigerians are joining hands with President Tinubu to raise the spirit of national cohesion, unity and inclusive politics.”
Onanuga concluded by commending the Nigerian Senate (through its spokespersons) for coming out to set the records straight on contents of the 2024 budget being executed by the President Tinubu-led administration.
“We want to use this opportunity to commend Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman Senate Committee on Media and Publicity for setting the record straight. We also commend Senators Steve Sunday Karimi (Kogi), Titus Tartenger Zam (Benue) and Kaka Sheu (Borno) for their forthrightness and for coming out against the misrepresentation of facts by Senator Ningi.
“President Tinubu is a firm believer in the rule of law and constitutional democracy. As an avowed democrat, he will not engage and indulge in any unconstitutional action or act in any manner that assaults the Constitution of Nigeria by operating any budget outside the one approved by the National Assembly, which he dutifully signed into law.” Onanuga stated.
