As responses to the disclosure of N3.7 trillion in budget padding for 2024 continue, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that his government cannot reject the allegations.
Recall that Senator Abdul Ningi disclosed in an interview with the Hausa BBC that the 2024 budget was passed in the amount of N3.7 trillion, and he also confirmed that he will confront the Senate on Tuesday during plenary session.
Atiku demanded fast and thorough investigations, claiming that padding budgets lead to padded hunger, poverty, insecurity, and energy shortages.
In a tweet, Atiku stated that Ningi’s abrupt suspension without proper explanation has exacerbated the problem, leaving Nigerians with more questions than answers.
Atiku’s statement on Twitter reads, “Over the past few days, allegations have rocked the Senate, calling into question 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.”