In response to recent allegations made by Senator Abdul Ningi regarding the 2024 budget, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has issued a statement debunking the claims of operating two versions of the budget.
Senator Ningi, representing Bauchi Central, had falsely alleged that the Federal Government under President Tinubu was implementing a different budget from the one passed by the National Assembly.
According to the statement released by the State House Press, President Tinubu presented a budget of N27.5 trillion to the National Assembly on November 29, 2023, which was widely reported. The budget consisted of N9.92 trillion for recurrent expenditure, N8.25 trillion for debt service, and N8.7 trillion for capital expenditure. Contrary to Senator Ningi’s claims, the budget presented by President Tinubu was not N25 trillion.
The statement further clarified that the National Assembly, in its wisdom, increased the budget by N1.2 trillion, bringing it to N28.7 trillion. The administration stated that any increase in the budget figure was done by the National Assembly in the exercise of its power of appropriation.
Regarding allegations of the budget being anti-North, the administration dismissed such claims as unfounded, stating that President Tinubu’s government is fair and equitable to every part and segment of Nigeria. The budget covers various sectors, including security, agriculture, healthcare, education, and infrastructure, with allocations benefiting all regions of the country.
The administration expressed concern over Senator Ningi’s remarks, describing them as divisive rhetoric at a time when national cohesion and unity are essential. They commended Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, as well as other senators, for setting the record straight and opposing the misrepresentation of facts by Senator Ningi.
