Presidency Dismisses Claims Of ₦3 Trillion Inflated Budget, Says NASS Added ₦1.27 Trillion

The Presidency has responded to allegations of budget inflation, asserting that the 2024 budget was not inflated by ₦3 trillion as claimed but had an additional ₦1.27 trillion added by the National Assembly.

The clarification came in response to assertions made by Abdul Ningi, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senator representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District, who raised concerns about budget padding.

Ningi alleged in a BBC Hausa report on Saturday, March 9, 2024, that the Federal Government was operating with an ₦28 trillion budget, contrary to the ₦25 trillion approved by lawmakers.

However, the Presidency refuted these claims in a statement issued on Saturday night, emphasizing that the National Assembly’s adjustment amounted to ₦1.27 trillion, not ₦3 trillion.

Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, clarified, “What we know is that the NASS approved a budget of ₦28 trillion which the President signed. What the President signed was the budget approved by the National Assembly, by the two houses.”[/b]

Similarly, Senate Spokesperson Senator Yemi Adaramodu debunked Ningi’s allegations, affirming that the budget was a public document accessible for scrutiny by Nigerians.

Adaramodu stated, “There is no budget padding as far as the Senate and the National Assembly are concerned. The national budget is a public document, which expressly states the expected revenue and the expenditure of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

He further added, “The Senate under the leadership of Senator Godswill Akpabio is not aware of any varied execution of the 2024 appropriation mandate, as approved.”