Senate Refutes Allegations of Padding in the 2024 Budget

This was contained in a statement released by Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Yemi Adaramodu,in Abuja on Saturday

Passed on December 30, 2023, the N28.7 trillion budget exceeded President Bola Tinubu’s initial proposal of N27.5 trillion.

Senator Yemi Adaramodu, emphasized the budget’s transparency and affirmed that it was signed by President Tinubu after due process. He clarified that the Senate had no knowledge of any modified version of the budget.

The Statement reads in part: “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.”