The National Assembly’s permission of the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government to implement four national budgets concurrently has been characterized by Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s (LP) presidential candidate for 2023, as a formula for chaos and frivolity.
This was said by Obi in a string of tweets on his X account on Saturday.
He pointed out that the actions taken by the legislature and the administration show a blatant contempt for accountability, transparency, and budgetary discipline.
“All available evidence has confirmed that the Nigerian government is implementing four national budgets concurrently. This is in blatant disregard for fiscal responsibility, transparency, and accountability.
“It is also a recipe for chaos, confusion, and catastrophe.
“This intentionally reckless action will lead to frivolous items in the approved budgets competing with essential projects for limited resources, further exacerbating the suffering of the Nigerian people.
“It indicates that the leaders are out of touch with reality and lack the competence to manage our nation’s finances effectively.
“Unfortunately, this deliberate act of fiscal recklessness is being undertaken by elected representatives of the people, thereby betraying one of the cardinal pillars of democracy. Leaders are elected to responsibly manage public resources in an organized way.
“I respectfully appeal and in fact, demand that this situation be reversed immediately in preference for a more responsible and transparent approach to budgeting.
“We must prioritize the needs of the Nigerian people, not the selfish interests of a few.
“This is a call to action for all Leaders to desist from actions that will further drive the country into economic chaos.
“Neither the National Assembly nor the executive has any excuse to promote or condone such unconscionable behaviour.
“We seek and insist on a nation governed by leaders who are frugal and responsible in their handling of public resources.
“This is the only way we can build a greatnation,” his tweet read.
Recall that the 2023 Appropriation Act’s capital component and the Supplementary Appropriation Acts’ expiration dates were extended by the National Assembly on Thursday to December 31, 2024.
Alongside with the N2.17 trillion 2023 supplemental budget approved in November 2023, both houses of the National Assembly extended in December 2023 the capital budget’s implementation duration from December 31, 2023, to March 31, 2024.
This does not affect the ongoing implementation of the 2024 Appropriations Act.
