By Douglas Princemola
Atiku Slams Tinubu: Alleged Budget Padding Leading to Increased Poverty and Insecurity for Nigerians
Atiku Abubakar Urges Thorough Probe into Alleged N3 Trillion Budget Padding in Nigerian Senate
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has demanded an extensive investigation into the alleged misuse of funds totaling N3 trillion, sparking controversy within the Nigerian Senate. The claims, unveiled by Senator Abdul Ningi in a recent BBC interview, suggest significant disparities between the Senate-approved budget and the one being implemented under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership.
Expressing grave concern over the lack of transparency surrounding the 2024 Appropriation Act, Atiku took to his official Facebook page to address the unfolding crisis. He underscored the crucial role of appropriation in governance, asserting, “Any deviation from serving the people’s interests will face staunch opposition.”
Atiku condemned the suspension of Senator Ningi, branding it an attempt to stifle whistleblowers and evade accountability. He emphasized the detrimental impact of budget padding on Nigerians, stating, “A bloated budget exacerbates existing hardships such as hunger, poverty, insecurity, energy crises, forex instability, and the soaring cost of living.”
The former Vice President called on the Tinubu administration to address the allegations transparently and uphold the principles of good governance. He also highlighted previous instances of alleged corruption, including the unresolved $3.3 billion NNPC loan repayment scandal, urging the National Assembly to fulfill its constitutional duty in ensuring transparency and accountability.
In conclusion, Atiku stressed the urgency of addressing corruption allegations promptly and transparently to rebuild public trust and safeguard Nigeria’s economic stability.
