The Nigerian Senate on Saturday refuted claims, circulated by certain media outlets, alleging an inflation of over N4 trillion in the 2024 appropriation budget.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Yemi Adaramodu, queried the intentions behind spreading misinformation, highlighting the transparent scrutiny the budget underwent before President Bola Tinubu’s approval.
Adaramodu affirmed that the budget, outlining projected revenue and expenses, was public knowledge, and the 10th Senate, led by Senator Godswill Akpabio, was unaware of any modified version.
The statement read: “There is no budget padding as far as the Senate and the National Assembly are concerned. The National budget is a public document that explicitly states the expected revenue and expenditure of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The Senate, under the leadership of Senator Godswill Akpabio, is not aware of any altered execution of the 2024 appropriation mandate, as approved.
“The budget presentation and approval processes were conducted in the public eye, and the Presidential assent was also part of a public ceremony.
“Any infractions would have been brought before the Senate, if any.
“The general public should rest assured that there is no budget padding anywhere, and we are confident that the 2024 appropriation law shall be strictly executed under strict legislative oversight.”
