The Nigerian Senate has denied reports from some media platforms that it inflated the 2024 appropriation budget by more than N4 trillion.
In a statement released to Senate Correspondents, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, questioned the intentions of those spreading false information. He emphasized that the budget went through a transparent process before being approved by President Bola Tinubu.
Adaramodu stated that the budget document, which outlines expected revenue and expenditure, was already public knowledge. He also clarified that the 10th Senate, under the leadership of Senator Godswill Akpabio, was not aware of any altered version of the budget.
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.”
