According to a report from Nigeria Tribuneonlineng, Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has accused the Nigerian government, under President Bola Tinubu, of concurrently implementing four national budgets.
Obi claims that there is evidence supporting his allegation, asserting that this practice disregards fiscal responsibility, transparency, and accountability, and could lead to chaos and confusion.
In a statement issued on Saturday via his X handle, the former Anambra State Governor emphasized the need for an immediate reversal of this situation in favor of a more responsible and transparent budgeting process.
“All available evidence has confirmed that the Nigerian government is implementing four national budgets concurrently.
This is in blatant disregard for fiscal responsibility, transparency, and accountability. It is also a recipe for chaos, confusion, and catastrophe,” Obi stated.
Obi criticized both the National Assembly and the executive for allowing such a practice.
He warned that this reckless approach would result in frivolous items in the approved budgets competing with essential projects for limited resources, exacerbating the suffering of the Nigerian people.
“This intentionally reckless action will lead to frivolous items in the approved budgets competing with essential projects for limited resources, further exacerbating the suffering of the Nigerian people,” Obi argued.
“It indicates that the leaders are out of touch with reality and lack the competence to manage our nation’s finances effectively.”
He further expressed concern that this deliberate act of fiscal recklessness is being undertaken by elected representatives of the people, betraying one of the cardinal pillars of democracy.
“Leaders are elected to responsibly manage public resources in an organized way,” he noted.
Obi called for an immediate reversal of the current budgeting practice in favor of a more responsible and transparent approach.
“We must prioritize the needs of the Nigerian people, not the selfish interests of a few. This is a call to action for all leaders to desist from actions that will further drive the country into economic chaos,” he urged.
He insisted that neither the National Assembly nor the executive has any excuse to promote or condone such behavior.
“We seek and insist on a nation governed by leaders who are frugal and responsible in their handling of public resources.
This is the only way we can build a great nation,” Obi concluded.