In response to accusations of a ₦3 trillion inflation in the 2024 budget, the Presidency clarified that the National Assembly only augmented the executive proposal by ₦1.27 trillion.
This clarification comes after allegations of budget padding were raised by Abdul Ningi, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senator representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District. Ningi claimed, as reported by BBC Hausa on March 9, 2024, that the Federal Government was operating with a budget of ₦28 trillion, differing from the ₦25 trillion approved by lawmakers.
According to the senator, there were undisclosed additions to the budget, not included in the version debated and considered by the National Assembly. However, the Presidency refuted these claims in a statement on Saturday night, asserting that the National Assembly only added ₦1.27 trillion to the 2024 budget.
Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, emphasized that the ₦28 trillion budget signed by the President was the one approved by both houses of the National Assembly.
Similarly, Senate Spokesperson Senator Yemi Adaramodu dismissed Ningi’s allegations, asserting that the budget was a public document available for scrutiny by Nigerians. Adaramodu maintained that there was no budget padding, and the Senate, under the leadership of Senator Godswill Akpabio, was not aware of any deviations from the approved 2024 appropriation mandate.
