Peter Obi, Nigerians demand explanations from Akpabio for the alleged ₦3 trillion budget padding
Mayowa DurosinmiMarch 11, 20241 Mins read1.1k 
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.
About The Author
Related Articles
Tinubu Government Delays Release of Signed Tax Acts to the Public
Four days after President Bola Tinubu announced the signing of four tax...
As Tinubu Urges Africa-Caribbean Unity in Saint Lucia, Over 272 Nigerians Killed in June Alone
While Nigerians deal with deadly violence, worsening hunger, and mass flooding, President...
You Can’t Tax a Dead Economy: Nigeria Is Suffocating Under Its Own Policies
As Nigeria’s Central Bank clings to its benchmark interest rate of 27.5...
“Wike is Not a Blessing to Us, He’s a Disaster” — Workers Protest in Nigeria’s Capital Over Unpaid Wages, Poor Working Conditions
Staff members of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) in Abuja barricaded...