The Senate provided clarification on Tuesday regarding the inclusion of N3 trillion in the 2024 budget, stating that it pertained to statutory transfers allocated to first-line charge agencies outside the purview of ministries.
Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, addressed journalists regarding the suspension of Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central), who had raised the padding allegation.
Abdul Ningi had asserted in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service that the 2024 budget was padded with approximately N3 trillion. Adaramodu emphasized the importance of upholding the Senate’s role as a pillar of democracy and ensuring actions that serve the national interest.
Rejecting the notion of budget padding, Adaramodu explained that the alleged N3 trillion padding was actually designated for statutory transfers to government agencies on first-line charges. These agencies included the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Public Complaints Commission, National Judicial Council, North East Development Commission (NEDC), and Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), among others.
Adaramodu dismissed claims of allocating N500 million as constituency funds to senators as fictitious and urged journalists to scrutinize the 2024 budget for allocations to the National Assembly.
He emphasized that budget padding is considered a serious crime in budgeting and questioned the integrity of those making such allegations. Adaramodu clarified that the Appropriation Act, with a total of N28.77 trillion, was executed transparently and openly. He reiterated that the N3 trillion allocation was not missing or padded but designated for agencies of government on first-line charges.
Addressing concerns about regional allocations, Adaramodu clarified that allocations were made sectorally, not based on geographical regions.
The Senate spokesperson underscored the importance of maintaining the integrity of the National Assembly and assured that the matter was being treated with the seriousness it deserved.
