- By Femi Alabi
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga has described the allegation by Senator representing Bauchi Central, Abdul Ningi on 2024 budget as false.
Ningi, in an interview with BBC Hausa service had said that the National Assembly debated and passed N25 Trillion as 2024 budget and not the N28.7 Trillion that is being implemented by the Federal Government.
Onanuga in a statement pointed out that President Bola 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.
He said there was no way the Senate could have debated and passed a N25 Trillion budget that was not presented to the National Assembly.
His word, “Following the false claims made by Senator Abdul Ningi, representing Bauchi Central, that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government is operating two versions of the 2024 budget, we consider it appropriate to inform Nigerians that there is no truth whatsoever in the allegation.
“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.
“We don’t expect a ranking Senator not to pay due attention to details before making wild claims.
“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.”
The Special Adviser stressed that Tinubu, in the spirit of democracy, did not withhold his assent to the Appropriation Bill as passed by the National Assembly.
He noted 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 the exercise of its power of appropriation.
READ ALSO:
Fears Over Bulldozers As Lagos Set to Demolish Structures on Drainages
Japa: FG Prohibits Leave Of Absence For Health Workers
Senate Debunks Allegation Of Budget Padding.
“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.”
Onanuga added that 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 the President to raise the spirit of national cohesion, unity and inclusive politics.
He commended the Chairman Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Yemi Adaramodu and other Senators for setting the record straight and for coming out against the misrepresentation of facts by Senator Ningi.
He held that the President is a firm believer in the rule of law and constitutional democracy, adding that the President as an avowed democrat, will not engage and indulge in any unconstitutional action or act in any manner that assaults the Constitution of Nigeria.
“We want to state categorically that the only 2024 budget that is being implemented is the N28.7 Trillion budget passed by the National Assembly and signed by the President.”.