Toba Owojaiye reporting
Abuja, Nigeria
In a recent revelation that has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s political landscape, BudgIT, a prominent civic organization specializing in Nigerian budget analysis, has corroborated suspended Senator Abdul Ningi’s claims regarding a staggering N3.7 trillion gap in the 2024 budget.
This revelation comes amidst a contentious atmosphere surrounding the budgetary process in the National Assembly.
Speaking exclusively to Channels Television, Seun Onigbinde, the Director and co-founder of BudgIT, affirmed Senator Ningi’s assertion that the budget lacked detailed allocations for the significant sum of N3.7 trillion. The gravity of this revelation cannot be overstated, as it raises profound questions about the transparency and accountability of Nigeria’s fiscal management.
Senator Ningi, representing Bauchi Central senatorial district and Chairman of the Northern Senators Forum, was suspended by the Senate following his allegations of budget padding and neglect of the North under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. His suspension ignited a fiery debate within the Senate, underscoring the urgency and importance of addressing the concerns raised by BudgIT and Senator Ningi.
Truth Live News gathered that the Chairman Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Olamilekan Adeola, initiated measures to expedite the consideration and passage of the 2024 Money Bill in response to the controversy sparked by Senator Ningi’s claims. However, Senator Ningi’s suspension and subsequent motions reveal deep-seated tensions within the Senate regarding accountability and oversight of budgetary allocations.
Seun Onigbinde’s remarks shed light on the opaque nature of certain budgetary allocations, particularly those concerning government-owned enterprises, the National Assembly, the National Judicial Council (NJC), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund). The lack of detailed breakdowns for these allocations raises serious concerns about fiscal transparency and public accountability.
Onigbinde’s call for transparency and public scrutiny of budgetary allocations underscores the imperative for robust oversight mechanisms to ensure that public funds are utilized effectively and efficiently. The absence of detailed breakdowns not only hampers public understanding but also undermines the principles of good governance and democratic accountability.
While Senator Ningi’s suspension may have temporarily quelled dissent within the Senate, it has amplified calls for greater transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s budgetary process. BudgIT’s validation of Senator Ningi’s concerns serves as a clarion call for reform and underscores the pivotal role of civil society in holding government institutions accountable to the Nigerian people.