The Presidency has refuted claims of padding the 2024 budget by an additional N3tn, following accusations by Senator Abdul Ningi of Bauchi Central. The Senator alleged that the executive was implementing a budget higher than what was approved by the National Assembly. However, the Presidency clarified that President Bola Tinubu initially presented a N27.5tn budget to the National Assembly, which was later increased by N1.2tn to N28.7tn and signed into law on January 1, 2024.

In response to Ningi’s claims, the Presidency emphasized that the budget being implemented is the N28.7tn budget passed by the National Assembly. It dismissed allegations that the budget was anti-North, stating that it is fair and equitable to all regions of Nigeria. The Presidency expressed disappointment in Senator Ningi’s divisive rhetoric and commended other Senators for refuting his claims.

There are indications that some Senators may call for the suspension of Senator Ningi over his unfounded claims, which have caused controversy within the Senate. Efforts to verify these claims and potential sanctions are ongoing. The Senate has stated that it will address the issue internally through legislative mechanisms.

Senator Solomon Adeola, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, announced that the Senate will address the issue of alleged budget padding through internal procedures. Efforts to reach Senator Ningi for a response have been unsuccessful. The budget presented by President Tinubu was initially N27.5tn and was later increased to N28.7tn by the National Assembly before being signed into law.

The controversy surrounding the 2024 budget highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in government spending. As the Senate prepares to address the issue, the focus remains on upholding the integrity of the budget process and ensuring that public funds are allocated fairly and responsibly.