Senator Shehu Sani Pushes For Tough Law Against Budget Padding, Questions Lawmakers’ Resolve

Civil rights activist and former senator Shehu Sani has proposed the creation of a law to prevent lawmakers from interfering with budgets submitted by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), as part of efforts to combat budget padding.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, Sani emphasized, “The only way to stop budget padding is to introduce a law that forbids lawmakers from altering MDAs’ budgets.” However, he expressed doubts about the feasibility of such legislation, adding, “But I don’t know who will draft the law or how it will even get past the first reading.”

Sani’s remarks come ahead of a meeting scheduled for Tuesday, January 7, 2025, between the Appropriations Committee and key officials, including the Minister of Finance, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, and the Director-General of the Budget Office. The meeting aims to address concerns that arose during budget preparations.

The budget defense sessions between Appropriations Sub-committees and relevant MDAs are scheduled to begin on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, and will continue until January 15.

In a separate engagement, Sani called for greater recognition of the nation’s freedom fighters who resisted colonial oppression. During a visit to the tombs of six deposed emirs in Lokoja, Kogi State, the former senator advocated for honoring those who made sacrifices for Nigeria’s sovereignty.

Sani, accompanied by Comrade Suleiman Ahmed, said, “These emirs refused to bow to British colonialists and paid the ultimate price for their bravery. I am here to honor these noble emirs who stood up for our country’s defense. This visit sends a message to Nigerians and inspires others to appreciate those who fought, laid down their lives, and made sacrifices for our freedom.”

He added, “These emirs were not deposed by their people but by colonialists who sought to enslave our people and seize our resources. We owe them a great debt for their defense of our land and freedom.”