The Nigerian Senate has denied reports circulating on various media platforms that it padded the 2024 appropriation budget by over N4 trillion.
In a swift reaction, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, refuted the claims and questioned the motives of those spreading such falsehoods.
In a statement released to Senate Correspondents, Senator Adaramodu emphasized the transparency of the budgetary process, which he insisted had undergone due diligence before being assented to by President Bola Tinubu.
He pointed out that the budget document, outlining the expected revenue and expenditure, is already accessible to the public.
“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 statement read.
“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.”
