The Presidency has categorically refuted claims of padding the 2024 budget by an additional N3 trillion, following accusations made by Senator Abdul Ningi of Bauchi Central (PDP).
Ningi had alleged that the Federal Government, under President Bola Tinubu, was executing a budget higher than the one approved by the National Assembly (NASS).
The controversy emerged as Ningi, speaking for the Northern Senators’ Forum, suggested in a BBC Hausa Service interview that the government was implementing a N28.7tn budget, as opposed to the N25tn that was debated and passed by the NASS.
In response, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, issued a statement refuting these claims. Onanuga clarified that President Tinubu had initially presented a budget of N27.5tn to the National Assembly on November 29, 2023.
This proposed budget included allocations for recurrent expenditure, debt service, and capital expenditure, contrasting Ningi’s claims.
The Presidency emphasized the implausibility of the Senate debating and passing a budget that was never presented. Onanuga stated, “We don’t expect a ranking Senator not to pay due attention to details before making wild claims.”
Onanuga further explained that the National Assembly exercised its appropriation powers and increased the executive’s proposed budget to N28.7tn, which President Tinubu subsequently signed into law on January 1, 2024.
This budget included statutory transfers to various sectors, countering the claim of a N25tn budget presentation.
Addressing Ningi’s assertion that the 2024 budget was anti-North, the Presidency dismissed it as far-fetched and unbecoming of a leader of his stature, asserting that the budget was fair and equitable to all parts of Nigeria.
The statement also expressed concern over the divisive rhetoric employed by Senator Ningi. The Presidency thanked Senators Steve Karimi (Kogi), Titus Zam (Benue), and Kaka Sheu (Borno) for refuting Ningi’s claims and appreciated the Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, for setting the record straight.
