PRP condemns alleged budget padding, seeks thorough investigation
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Allegation of budget padding, if true, is another gross misconduct and blatant disregard for transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility, the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) has said.
PRP National Publicity Secretary Muhammed Ishaq stressed that as a party committed to the progress and welfare of all citizens, it is deeply concerned about the negative impact of such an act on the economy, developmental goals, and the overall well-being of the people.
“We strongly believe that parliament must stand up to its statutory and constitutional responsibility of factual appropriation and funding by the provisions of the budget office and that public funds must be utilised judiciously and for the sole purpose of advancing the interests of the citizens,” Ishaq insisted in a statement.
The PRP urged the relevant authorities to immediately investigate the allegation and bring to book all those culpable.
It also
- Asked the National Assembly (NASS) to exercise its constitutional responsibilities by thoroughly scrutinising the budget to ensure it aligns with the best interests of the nation.
- Reminded all elected officials that service to the people comes first and they must act with the utmost integrity and honesty in the discharge of their duties.
- It remained resolute in its commitment to promoting good governance, fighting corruption, and ensuring every Nigerian enjoys the dividends of democracy.
Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) levelled the allegation of N3 trillion budget padding at the weekend, saying Bola Tinubu is not implementing the Appropriation Bill passed by the NASS which the President signed into law.
Aso Rock has since given Ningi hard knocks over the claim and for also alleging the 2024 budget is skewed against the North.
A statement issued by Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga described Ningi’s claims as false “too far-fetched and unbecoming of a leader of his status.”
Onanuga insisted Tinubu forwarded to the NASS an evenly distributed budget, in which none of the six zones is marginalised.
Three Senators – Steve Sunday Karimi (Kogi West), Titus Tartenger Zam (Benue Northwest) and Kaka Sheu (Borno Central) – have also rejected Ningi’s claims, which they described as a ruse, unfounded, baseless, and a figment of his imagination.
They dissociated themselves from it.
The Senators, who are members of the Northern Senators’ Forum (NSF), under whose auspices Ningi allegedly spoke, warned against “the antics of blackmailers bent on creating an atmosphere of crisis in the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly.”
Ningi made the allegations in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service at the weekend, citing the report of a consultant which he said revealed the padding.
He disclosed the NSF, which he chairs, would confront Senate President Godswill Akpabio with its findings on the allegations.
In turn, the Senate has announced plans to begin a probe of the alleged scam this week.
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