The Presidency has denied allegations of padding the 2024 budget by an additional N3tn. This followed accusations by Senator Abdul Ningi of Bauchi Central (Peoples Democratic Party) alleging that the executive is implementing a budget other than the one approved on January 1, 2024. Senator Ningi, who is the chairman of the Northern Senators Forum, said "huge damage" has been done to the north and the entire country with the budget. He alleged that the report of a consultant revealed the padding. Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa on Saturday, Ningi, had said, “For example, we had a budget of N28 trillion but after our checks, we found out that it was a budget of N25 trillion. How and where did we get the additional N3 trillion from, what are we spending it for?” he asked. Ningi added that the Northern Senators' Forum, which he chairs, would confront Senate President Godswill Akpabio with its findings on the alleged 'padding.' This is coming even as the senate revealed it would meet over the matter on Tuesday, using its internal machanisms and control process.
The national assembly had passed a budget of N28.7 trillion for the 2024 fiscal year.
Responding to the allegation the president, said it is untrue that the federal government is operating two versions of the 2024 budget.
The presidency described Ningi's claim as "too far-fetched and unbecoming of a leader of his status".
A statement by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu forwarded an evenly distributed budget, in which none of the six geo-political zones is marginalised.
Three senators – Steve Sunday Karimi (Kogi West), Titus Tartenger Zam (Benue Northwest), and Kaka Sheu (Borno Central) – also rejected Ningi’s claims, which they described as a ruse, unfounded, baseless, and a figment of his imagination.
They warned against what they described as the antics of blackmailers bent on creating an atmosphere of crisis in the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly.
The statement by the Presidency said: “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.
“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 President Tinubu to raise the spirit of national cohesion, unity, and inclusive politics.
“We want to use this opportunity to commend Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, for setting the record straight.
“We also commend Senators Steve Sunday Karimi (Kogi), Titus Tartenger Zam (Benue), and Kaka Sheu (Borno) for their forthrightness and for coming out against the misrepresentation of facts by Senator Ningi.
“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.
“Acting under the banner of Northern Senators’ Forum, Senator Ningi falsely claimed in an interview he granted BBC Hausa Service that the National Assembly debated and passed N25 trillion as the 2024 budget and not the N28.7 trillion that is being implemented by the Federal Government.
“To begin with, President 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.
“This was widely reported. He did not present a budget of N25 trillion.”
