- By Halimah Olamide
Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the last presidential election. Atiku Abubakar had said the suspension of the senator who blew the lid over alleged budgetary irregularities Abdul Ningi has raised further questions over the transparency of the process.
Atiku said the Senate has more questions to answer just as he called for an unbiased investigation into the entire saga over the 2024 Appropriations.
Saying budget is at the heart of all national fiscal issues, the former Vice President in tweet on Thursday said denials are unacceptable.
Making reference to the revelations by BudgIT, a budget accountability organization, Atiku said it has been confirmed that the current budget being operated lacks of transparency.
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“Furthermore, the sudden suspension of the whistle-blower Senator, without adequate explanation, has only fueled the crisis, leaving us with more questions than answers.
“I demand an immediate and thorough investigation into these allegations. Appropriation lies at the heart of governance, and any deviation from serving the people’s interests will be met with fierce opposition.
Denials are unacceptable, and the suspension of one senator cannot silence accusations of corruption and illegal fiscal spending by the federal government,” Atiku said
He said Without a clear explanation to the people of Nigeria, the people must treat these allegations for what they are: outright fraud.
“The accusation of budget padding totalling N3 trillion cannot be dismissed lightly by the government.
“Given the current hardships facing our nation, a padded budget is already translating to a padded hunger, padded poverty, padded insecurity, padded energy crises, padded forex instability, and the soaring cost of living.
“The people of Nigeria cannot afford to ignore allegations that worsen our already dire economic situation.
“The current federal government has a disgraceful track record of ignoring issues of transparency and due process in public administration,” the former vice president said
He said there is an unresolved $3.3 billion NNPCL loan repayment scandal, notingTinubu administration must address these high-profile corruption cases transparently.
He added. “The National Assembly, as the elected representatives of the people, are constitutionally obligated to legislate for the peace, order, and good governance of our nation, without colluding with corrupt elements.
“Failure to do so and persisting in denial will only confirm the government’s complicity in official malpractice.” He said