Executive is implementing N28.7 trillion 2024 Budget approved by NASS –Presidency

*The Federal Government clarifies the 2024 Budget that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed into law January 1, 2024, as earlier passed by Nigeria’s National Assembly was N28.7 trillion, not N25 trillion, urging ‘ranking Senator’ Abdul Ahmed Ningi to learn to pay due attention to details before making wild claims to the general public

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The Federal Government has disproved and described as inappropriate a recent “uncharitable claim” by Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi, that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration is operating two versions of the 2024 Budget, which the National Assembly (NASS) had passed late December 2023.

Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, in a statement titled, The Facts About 2024 Budget”, issued Sunday, March 10, 2024, disclosed the Nigerian Government considered it “appropriate to inform Nigerians that there is no truth whatsoever in the allegation.”

Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi

The statement noted that Senator Ningi, acting under the banner of Northern Senators’ Forum, has falsely claimed in an interview he granted BBC Hausa Service, that the Federal lawmakers had debated and passed N25 trillion as 2024 Budget, and not the N28.7 trillion which the Federal Government is currently implementing in the West African country.

Putting the record straight on Senator Ningi’s misrepresentation of facts

Buttressing the position of the Federal Government on the Senator’s allegation, Onanuga stated: “To begin with, President Tinubu on November 29, 2023 presented a budget of N27.5 trillion to the joint session of the National Assembly made up of N9.92 trillion recurrent expenditure, Debt Service N8.25 trillion and Capital Expenditure N8.7 trillion.

“This was widely reported. He did not present a budget of N25 trillion.”

According to the Presidential aide, contrary to the “strange view expressed by Senator Ningi”, there was no way the Senate could have debated and passed a N25 Trillion budget that was not presented to the National Assembly in the first place.

He also noted: “We don’t expect a ranking Senator not to pay due attention to details before making wild claims.

“It is also important to let Nigerians know that the budget that President Tinubu signed into law on January 1, 2024 as passed by the National Assembly was N28.7 trillion.”

The Presidency further explained that the National Assembly, in its wisdom, actually increased the amount earlier proposed by the Executive arm of government by N1.2 trillion.

“In the spirit of democracy which allows give and take, President Tinubu didn’t withhold his assent to the Appropriation Bill as passed by the National Assembly.

“We want to stress that if the budget figure was increased and made to be different from what the Executive proposed, it was the National Assembly that jacked it up in exercise of its power of appropriation,” Onanuga said.

2024 Appropriation Act is not anti-North: Presidency

The statement further noted: “On the uncharitable claim that the 2024 Budget was anti-North, we found such position as canvassed by Senator Ningi as too far-fetched and unbecoming of a leader of his status.

“President Tinubu is leading a government that is fair and equitable to every part and segment of Nigeria.”

The government further asserted: “In terms of funding, distribution of capital and priority projects, the 2024 Appropriation Act was not skewed against any section of the country.

“The North as an integral part of the country is well covered in all areas, from security to agriculture, healthcare to education, and other important infrastructure such as roads, rail, dams, power and irrigation projects to support all year-round agriculture.”

Onanuga stated: “It is concerning that a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria can employ such primordial antics to fuel divisive rhetoric at a time well-meaning Nigerians are joining hands with President Tinubu to raise the spirit of national cohesion, unity and inclusive politics.

“We want to use this opportunity to commend  Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman Senate Committee on Media and Publicity for setting the record straight.”

The government also applauded Senators Steve Sunday Karimi (Kogi), Titus Tartenger Zam (Benue) and Kaka Sheu (Borno) for “their forthrightness and for coming out against the misrepresentation of facts by Senator Ningi.”

He said: “President Tinubu is a firm believer in the rule of law and constitutional democracy. As an avowed democrat, he will not engage and indulge in any unconstitutional action or act in any manner that assaults the Constitution of Nigeria by operating any budget outside the one approved by the National Assembly, which he dutifully signed into law.

The Executive implementing N28.7 trillion 2024 Budget approved by NASS: Onanuga

The statement as well noted: “We want to state categorically that the only 2024 Budget that is being implemented is the N28.7 trillion budget passed by the National Assembly and signed by the President.

“Included in the budget are statutory transfers to the Judiciary, National Assembly, Tetfund, and others.”