The Presidency has refuted allegations of padding the 2024 budget by an additional N3 trillion. Senator Abdul Ningi of Bauchi Central (PDP) had claimed that the executive was implementing a budget different from the one approved by the National Assembly on January 1, 2024.
Ningi alleged that the Federal Government was executing a budget significantly higher than the N25 trillion passed by the NASS, pointing out a N28.7 trillion budget currently being implemented.
In response, the Presidency, through the President's Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, denied Ningi's claims. Onanuga stated that President Tinubu had presented a N27.5 trillion budget to the National Assembly on November 29, 2023. The budget included N9.92 trillion for recurrent expenditure, N8.25 trillion for debt service, and N8.7 trillion for capital expenditure.
The Presidency clarified that the National Assembly increased the executive's proposed budget by N1.2 trillion to N28.7 trillion, which President Tinubu signed into law on January 1, 2024. The statement emphasized that the only 2024 budget being implemented is the N28.7 trillion budget passed by the National Assembly and signed by the President.
Regarding Senator Ningi's claim that the 2024 budget was anti-North, the Presidency described it as "too far-fetched and unbecoming of a leader of his status."
Senator Ningi plans to meet with President Tinubu to discuss the matter further. The Senate also announced that it would address the issue using its internal mechanisms and control process.
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