Obi also decried the lack of transparency in managing public funds, stressing that it’s a breach of trust
By Kehinde Okeowo
Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the February 25, 2023 general election, Peter Obi has called on the President Bola Tinubu-led administration and the National Assembly to clarify the alleged discrepancies in the 2024 budget.
He made the demand on his X page on Monday, saying the development is worrying because the amount involved represents over 10% of the national budget.
TheNiche had earlier reported that the Chairman of the Northern Senators Forum, Abdul Ningi queried the N3 trillion allegedly added to the 2024 N28.7 trillion budget.
Ningi, a senator representing Bauchi Central, contended in a BBC Hausa Service interview, that the Federal Government was executing a budget significantly higher than what was passed by the NASS.
ALSO READ: Onanuga replies Senator Ningi after comment on 2024 budget, says ‘Your claim baseless’
However, a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, countered Ningi’s claim.
He argued that it was the legislative arm who added N1.2 trillion to the proposed budget and went on to say his principal allowed the National Assembly to jack it up in the spirit of Democracy.
Reacting to the development, Obi decried the lack of transparency in managing public funds, stressing that it’s a breach of trust.
Speaking on his social media page, Obi tweeted: “I find it deeply disconcerting and a matter of grave concern and even shameful to read about the alleged N3 trillion discrepancy between the budget approved by the Nigerian Senate and the one being implemented by the presidency.
“One Senator claims there is a separate budget, allegedly containing the N3 trillion, that differs from what was passed by the National Assembly.
“This alleged discrepancy is especially worrying because it represents over 10% of our national budget (estimated at N29 trillion) and is more than the combined education (N1.54 trillion) and health (N1.38 trillion) official budgets.
“We also deserve full accountability of all our scarce resources placed in public trust. Therefore, we, the Nigerian people, demand a public explanation from both the National Assembly and the Presidency regarding the purpose and process of adding this alleged N3 trillion.”