Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) candidate in the 2023 presidential election, has voiced serious concerns regarding an alleged N3 trillion inconsistency between the budget approved by the National Assembly and the one currently being executed by the Presidency.
Expressing worry over the significant deviation, which accounts for over 10 percent of the national budget, Obi demanded transparency and accountability from both the Nigerian Senate and the Presidency.
Senator Abdul Ningi from Bauchi Central initially brought attention to the missing N3 trillion within the N28.7 trillion budget for the year 2024.
Responding to these claims, Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, refuted Ningi’s assertions, stating that the National Assembly had actually augmented the budget by N1.2 trillion in accordance with democratic principles.
In a swift response, Obi expressed his dismay and condemned the lack of transparency in the management of public finances, underscoring the breach of trust involved.
Taking to his social media platform on Monday morning, Obi expressed his profound concerns, stating, “I find it deeply disconcerting and a matter of grave concern and even shameful to read about the alleged N3 trillion discrepancy between the budget approved by the Nigerian Senate and the one being implemented by the presidency. One Senator claims there is a separate budget, allegedly containing the N3 trillion, that differs from what was passed by the National Assembly.
“This alleged discrepancy is especially worrying because it represents over 10 percent of our national budget (estimated at N29 trillion) and is more than the combined education (N1.54 trillion) and health (N1.38 trillion) official budgets.
“We also deserve full accountability of all our scarce resources placed in public trust. Therefore, we, the Nigerian people, demand a public explanation from both the National Assembly and the Presidency regarding the purpose and process of adding this alleged N3 trillion.”
