Peter Obi, Nigerians demand explanations from Akpabio for the alleged ₦3 trillion budget padding

Peter Obi, leader of the opposition Labour Party, has joined Nigerians in demanding the return of the ₦3 trillion padded in the 2024 budget by the National Assembly Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

This followed Senator Abdul Ningi’s alarm on the Senate floor, positing, “Apparently, we discovered that ₦3 trillion was inserted into the budgets without locations. This is the highest budget padding in Nigerian history under Senator Akpabio’s watch.”

Obi has joined Nigerians in demanding answers for how the ₦3 trillion became part of the budget, making it an additional 10% of Nigeria’s national budget. It surpassed the official budget allocated to the education and health sectors combined.

On his official X handle, he expressed deep concern over the allegation, stating, “This lack of transparency in managing public funds is a breach of trust between the Nigerian people and their elected leaders.”

I find it deeply disconcerting and a matter of grave concern and even shameful to read about the alleged N3 trillion discrepancy between the budget approved by the Nigerian Senate and the one being implemented by the presidency.

— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) March 10, 2024

He added, “With insecurity, hunger, poverty, inflation, and unemployment plaguing the nation, these actions are insensitive to the people’s plight. Every naira of our budget, especially in these challenging times, should be judiciously used to build a better Nigeria.

“We also deserve full accountability of all our scarce resources placed in public trust. Therefore, we, the Nigerian people, demand a public explanation from the National Assembly and the Presidency regarding the purpose and process of adding this alleged N3 trillion,” he reiterated.

Akpabio, accused of adding ₦3 trillion to the 2024 appropriation bill signed into law by Bola Tinubu, has yet to comment on the allegation, making it the most fraudulent budget padding in Nigeria’s history.

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Mayowa Durosinmi

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M. Durosinmi is a West Africa Weekly investigative reporter covering Politics, Human Rights, Health, and Security in West Africa and the Sahel Region

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