ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Federal Government of Nigeria has jettisoned claims that it is running four budgets in a fiscal year.
The presidential spokesperson, Temitope Ajayi, used X to dismiss the rumors, stating that the government is not running four budgets.
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, had in a tweet alleged that the government was running four budgets concurrently.
The media aide while responding to a thread of tweets by the former Anambra State Governor wrote: “Yesterday, @BudgITng raised a false alarm on the basis of rumours that FG is planning a 2024 supplementary budget.
“It is important to state that the FG is not planning to run 4 budgets within a fiscal year as being alleged.
“The National Assembly only approved that implementation of the capital components of 2023 budget and 2023 supplementary should be extended to December 2024 to achieve its objectives.
“Our country can’t achieve sustainable development when Federal, States and Local governments focus on only consumptive expenditures which is essentially what recurrent expenditures represent.
“It is the capital expenditures that drive economic growth, strengthen private sector output and create employment opportunities for citizens.
“As a reputable civic organisation, BudgIT can not afford to be flippant and be unduly sensational. Expectedly, @PeterObi has jumped on the false claims to push his new round of misinformation.”
Obi, yesterday described the approval given by the National Assembly to the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government to implement four national budgets concurrently as a recipe for chaos and frivolity.
Obi said this in a series of tweets on his X handle.
The tweets read: “It is also a recipe for chaos, confusion, and catastrophe.
“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.
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“It indicates that the leaders are out of touch with reality and lack the competence to manage our nation’s finances effectively.
“Unfortunately, this deliberate act of fiscal recklessness is being undertaken by elected representatives of the people, thereby betraying one of the cardinal pillars of democracy. Leaders are elected to responsibly manage public resources in an organized way.
“I respectfully appeal and in fact, demand that this situation be reversed immediately in preference for a more responsible and transparent approach to budgeting.
“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.
“Neither the National Assembly nor the executive has any excuse to promote or condone such unconscionable behaviour.
“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.”