Budget Padding Scandal: Peter Obi Demands Answers On N3trn Allocation, Challenges Presidency And NASS

Budget Padding Scandal: Peter Obi Demands Answers On N3trn Allocation, Challenges Presidency And NASS

Presidential candidate Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) has urged both the Presidency and the National Assembly to clarify the discrepancies amounting to N3 trillion in budget padding. Expressing concern, Obi emphasized that this sum represents over 10% of the national budget, which stands at N29 trillion.

The call comes in response to Senator Abdul Ningi’s inquiry into the whereabouts of N3 trillion in the 2024 N28.7 trillion budget. In contrast, a statement from Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, challenged Ningi’s claim. According to the presidency, the National Assembly was allowed to increase the national budget by N1.2 trillion in the spirit of democracy.

Obi decried the lack of transparency in the management of public funds, characterizing it as a breach of trust. Taking to X platform, he expressed deep concern and shame over the alleged N3 trillion discrepancy. He highlighted that this amount surpasses the combined official budgets for education (N1.54 trillion) and health (N1.38 trillion).

In his post, Obi emphasized the need for full accountability of the nation’s resources entrusted to public institutions. He called on the Nigerian people to demand a public explanation from both the National Assembly and the Presidency regarding the purpose and process behind adding the alleged N3 trillion. Obi underlined that transparency and accountability are essential pillars of democratic governance.

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