Budget Padding: Peter Obi Reacts to Suspension of Senator Ningi
Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has voiced his dissatisfaction with the Senate’s handling of Senator Abdul Ningi’s suspension, stating that crucial issues regarding the allegations remain unaddressed.
In a statement released via his X official handle on Wednesday and seen by Excel Magazine International, Obi highlighted the ongoing controversy surrounding the alleged N3 trillion padding in the 2024 budget and emphasized that the Senate’s decision to suspend the whistle-blower has not adequately resolved the matter.
Obi remarked, “The Senator is insisting on his allegation, and the Executive agreed that there was only N1.2 trillion padded, not N3 trillion as alleged by the Senator.”
He pointed out additional concerns raised by civic society group Budgit, which also supported Ningi’s claims and highlighted discrepancies in project allocations within the 2024 Appropriation Act.
Expressing the need for transparency and accountability, Obi asserted, “As the Senate suspension of the senator involved has not addressed the issue, they still owe the Nigerian public a clear clarification over the various claims and counterclaims, including that of the executive arm, to be able to know exactly what is happening.”
Regarding the budget padding, Obi emphasized the significance of the funds involved, stating, “Now that the executive arm has accepted that the padded amount is only N1.2 trillion, it is still a very significant amount.” He underscored the potential impact of redirecting such resources towards critical areas such as education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation.
Highlighting the urgency of addressing the country’s challenges, Obi urged the Senate to channel funds into essential development areas, stressing the importance of prudent resource management.
He concluded by advocating for the responsible utilization of public funds to achieve national development goals.
