Hobnob News — Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Solomon Adeola, has defended the much-criticised practice of budget insertions by lawmakers, arguing that these legislative inputs are vital for equitable distribution of federal projects across Nigeria.
Speaking at the second annual retreat of the Remo Traditional Council in Sagamu, Ogun State, Adeola, who represents Ogun West Senatorial District, stated that what is often labelled as “budget padding” is, in fact, a strategic and constitutionally-backed legislative intervention to address developmental disparities across the country.
“Without the proactive involvement of lawmakers in the budget process, many communities — especially rural and underserved ones — would continue to be overlooked in national planning and allocation,” the senator explained.
Delivering a keynote lecture titled “The Role of the Legislature in Shaping a Holistic Budget for Nigeria,” Adeola stressed that the term “budget padding” has been wrongly used to malign the legislature since 1999, distorting public understanding of the National Assembly’s constitutional role.
According to a statement issued by his media aide, Kayode Odunaro, the senator decried what he described as misinformation and deliberate attempts to discredit lawmakers’ involvement in budget formulation.
“The budget is not just a compilation of figures — it is a policy document crafted to serve the holistic interests of all Nigerians. Sections 80 to 84 of the 1999 Constitution clearly give the National Assembly exclusive powers of appropriation. Nothing is to be spent from the treasury without legislative approval,” he emphasized.
Adeola noted that input from legislators ensures that diverse and localized needs of constituents are reflected in the national budget, enabling a more inclusive approach to development.
“These are not ‘insertions’ or ‘padding’ as critics claim. They are interventions made in response to the needs of the people we represent. That is the essence of democratic representation,” he stated.
He clarified that constituency projects, often lumped under budget insertions, are allocated funds in the national budget but are executed by relevant federal ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) — not lawmakers.
“No legislator receives any money for project execution. The entire process — from procurement to implementation — is handled by MDAs,” he explained.
Addressing traditional rulers, Adeola reiterated his support for granting constitutional roles to monarchs, acknowledging their pivotal role in governance, conflict resolution, and grassroots development.
“Traditional rulers remain crucial to peacebuilding, security, and mobilising development at the community level. I fully support formalising their roles in the Nigerian constitution,” he said.
In his response, the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, thanked Senator Adeola for developmental efforts across the state, including the installation of solar-powered street lights and support for community projects.
Oba Ajayi also used the occasion to appeal for the establishment of a federal educational institution in Remoland and called on federal authorities not to marginalize the region if the proposed Ijebu State is created.
The retreat, attended by prominent traditional rulers from across Remoland, served as a platform for dialogue on deepening the understanding of governance structures and accelerating development through improved collaboration between elected officials and traditional institutions.
