As reactions continue to trail the revelation of the padding of 2024 budget to the tune of N3.7 trillion, the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has told President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that his government cannot dismissed the allegation.
Recall that Senator Abdul Ningi had during an interview with the Hausa BBC revealed that the 2024 budget was passed to the tune of N3.7 trillion, which he also reaffirmed he face the Senate on Tuesday during plenary session.
Demanding an immediate and thorough investigations, Atiku said that padded budget translate to a padded hunger, padded poverty, padded insecurity and padded energy crises.
Atiku, in his twitter handle said that the sudden suspension of Ningi without adequate explanation, has only fueled the crisis, leaving Nigerians with more questions than answers.
Atiku’s message in his twitter handle reads, “over the past few days, allegations have rocked the Senate, questioning the very integrity of the 2024 Appropriation Act, the cornerstone of our nation’s annual planning and development.
“A fiscal policy analytics and advocacy organization has unequivocally confirmed a disturbing lack of transparency within the 2024 Appropriation Act.
“Furthermore, the sudden suspension of the whistle-blower Senator, without adequate explanation, has only fueled the crisis, leaving us with more questions than answers.
“I demand an immediate and thorough investigation into these allegations. Appropriation lies at the heart of governance, and any deviation from serving the people’s interests will be met with fierce opposition.
“Denials are unacceptable, and the suspension of one senator cannot silence accusations of corruption and illegal fiscal spending by the federal government.
“Without a clear explanation to the people of Nigeria, we must treat these allegations for what they are: outright fraud.
“The accusation of budget padding totaling N3 trillion cannot be dismissed lightly by the government.
“Given the current hardships facing our nation, a padded budget is already translating to a padded hunger, padded poverty, padded insecurity, padded energy crises, padded forex instability, and the soaring cost of living.
‘The people of Nigeria cannot afford to ignore allegations that worsen our already dire economic situation.”
Lambasting Tinubu’s administration, Atiku said “the current federal government has a disgraceful track record of ignoring issues of transparency and due process in public administration.
“The unresolved $3.3 billion NNPCL loan repayment scandal, with Nigeria now expected to repay $12 billion, remains a glaring example.”
Atiku called on President Tinubu to as a matter of urgency address all high-profile corruption cases transparently.
He said: “The Tinubu administration must address these high-profile corruption cases transparently.
“The National Assembly, as the elected representatives of the people, are constitutionally obligated to legislate for the peace, order, and good governance of our nation, without colluding with corrupt elements.
“Failure to do so and persisting in denial will only confirm the government’s complicity in official malpractice.”
