Budget Padding, Outright Fraud, Unacceptable – Atiku
Former Vice President Atiku Abiubakar has declared that denials over the padding of the 2024 Budget are unacceptable, stressing that without a clear explanation to the people, Nigerians must treat the allegations for what they are: “outright fraud”.
This was as he said that 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.
Atiku therefore demanded an immediate and thorough investigation into the allegations of 2024 Budget padding adding that the suspension of a whistle blower senator cannot silence accusations of corruption and illegal fiscal spending by the federal government.
The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 election, noted that Appropriation lies at the heart of governance, stressing that any deviation from serving the people’s interests will be met with fierce opposition.
In a statement he personally signed, the former Vice President pointedly said that the sudden suspension of Senator Abdul Ningi without adequate explanation, has only fueled the crisis, leaving Nigerians with more questions than answers.
According to him; “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.
“The accusation of budget padding totaling N3 trillion cannot be dismissed lightly by the government. The people of Nigeria cannot afford to ignore allegations that worsen our already dire economic situation.
“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.
“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,” he said.
