TAIWO FAROTIMI
The chairmen of the appropriation committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives will address the press tomorrow Friday June 22 on allegations of budget padding.
The two officials promise to address the items point by point.
This follows allegation by President Muhammadu Buhari that the two chambers inserted items that were hitherto not included in the budget before passing same to him. The president said this while signing the document on Wednesday.
But the two chambers appear to disagree with the president on the issue. They have therefore decided to defend themselves. It will be recalled that Jubrin Abdumumin, member of the House of Representatives who recently returned from suspension by his colleagues over similar allegations he made in respect of last year’s budget, had said that the new document was padded by his colleagues. The planned press conference will give the legislators the opportunity to throw light on the matter. Thereafter, Nigerians can determine where the truth lies.
A statement by Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, said the leadership of the National Assembly has asked the two committees, which worked on the budget proposal by the executive, to respond to the allegation by the president.
Abdullahi said, “It should however be noted that the action of the National Assembly while working on the budget was informed by the provision of the constitution on the need for inclusion, balance and the fact that the first responsibility of government is the security and welfare of all citizens.”