Senator Abdul Ningi was suspended by the Senate over the allegation that the 2024 budget was padded to the tune of N3.7 trillion. BudgIT confirmed that the budget in reference was actually padded. Bagudu says padding a a right for Senate.
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, in the midst of the controversy, said at a press briefing on Thursday, that the National Assembly (NASS) could, indeed, increase budget lines.
He argued that NASS has the last say on the budget, adding that “constituency projects” were inserted into the budget long before now and that no law prohibited lawmakers from doing so.
“Do they (National Assembly) have the right to increase a budget line? I will say yes.
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“The evolution of constituency projects and projects by National Assembly members, which did not begin now but since 1999, is a reflection of the challenge that elected persons are facing,” Bagudu said.
“There has been a long debate and a former president went up to the Supreme Court to define the appropriation power of the executive and the National Assembly. Later, there was an out-of-court settlement. Till now, this issue has not been resolved.
“So, what is the power of the National Assembly as regards the budget? There is no Supreme Court judgement and the choice of our democracy is that the National Assembly has the last word. Even when they pass an appropriation that assent is refused, after 30 days, it becomes law,” Bagudu said.
He further said that what the National Assembly did with the 2023 budget was within the purview of its power.
“The president, in signing the 2024 appropriation, acknowledged that in democracy, institutions have their power and the National Assembly has the last word.
“The president submitted a budget to the tune of N27.5 trillion and the National Assembly, in its wisdom, increased it to N28.7 trillion. When we presented the budget, it was at an exchange rate of N750 to a dollar but the assembly increased it to N800 to a dollar.
“That created more revenue. The assembly also appropriated that the government-owned enterprises contribute more revenue. Then there was the increase of the budget of the judiciary, legislature and executive,” he said.
Since Ningi’s allegation and subsequent suspension from the Senate, Nigerians have called for an investigation into the matter.
Atiku Abubakar has berated Tinubu’s administration, calling for a thorough probe into the issue.
In a similar vein, Peter Obi said Ningi’s suspension does not answer the questions raised about the 2024 budget, and also called for an investigation into budget padding allegations.
