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Running four national budgets concurrently, reckless, recipe for chaos, Obi tackles FG
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Running four national budgets concurrently, reckless, recipe for chaos, Obi tackles FG
Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Mr Peter Obi, has taken a swipe at the Federal Government for operating multiple budgets concurrently.
Obi said this in a post on X Saturday describing the action as a blatant disregard for fiscal responsibility, transparency, and accountability.
Currently, the Federal Government is said to be operating the 2023 budget, 2023 supplementary budget, and the 2024 budget — and on May 29, President Bola Tinubu said the 2024 supplementary appropriation bill would soon be presented before the national assembly.
According to Obi, this action by the federal government is also a recipe for chaos, confusion, and catastrophe.
He said, “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.
“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 said Nigerian leaders are disconnected from reality and lack the competence to manage the nation’s finances effectively.
“It indicates that the leaders are out of touch with reality and lack the competence to manage our nation’s finances effectively,” he said.
“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.”
The former presidential candidate added that neither the national assembly nor the executive has any excuse to promote or condone such unconscionable behaviour.
BudgIT, a civic-tech organisation, has also condemned plans by the federal government to implement four national budgets concurrently.
In a statement issued on Friday by Gabriel Okeowo, BudgIT’s country director, the organisation described the situation as a worrisome development.
He pointed out that globally, budgets are typically prepared to cover 12 calendar months, from January to December.
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How Dasuki paid Fayose N1.2bn to avoid traces – Court witness
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How Dasuki paid Fayose N1.2bn to avoid traces – Court witness
On Monday, a Lagos Federal High Court was informed that former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, allegedly paid N1.2 billion in cash to former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose.
Abubakar Madaki, a former investigative officer with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), testified before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, stating that the payment was made in cash to obscure the source and prevent any traceability.
During the EFCC investigation, it was revealed that the money originated from Dasuki’s office and was initially allocated for arms procurement, contrary to claims that it was for a presidential campaign. The EFCC has charged Fayose and his company, Spotless Investment Limited, with an 11-count indictment for criminal breach of trust, theft, and misappropriation of public funds.
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The anti-graft agency asserts that Fayose, along with Abiodun Agbele—who is facing a separate money laundering trial—received N1.219 billion on June 17, 2014, to finance Fayose’s governorship campaign in Ekiti State.
At the hearing, Madaki, the 13th prosecution witness, indicated that Fayose did not personally conduct any financial transactions pertinent to the charges. The court has adjourned the trial to July 19.
How Dasuki paid Fayose N1.2bn to avoid traces – Court witness
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BREAKING: Rivers announces date for local government elections
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BREAKING: Rivers announces date for local government elections
The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, (RSIEC), has announced that it has fixed the date to conduct local government elections in the state for October 5.
The commission, Monday, released its guidelines in view of the conduct of the LGA elections in the state.
This was coming as the police in the state have maintained occupation of the local government area council secretariats following the leadership crisis rocking the LGAs.
Following the expiration of the tenure of the elected chairmen and councillors of the 23 LGAs, the governor of the state, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, inaugurated Caretaker Committees pending the conduct of an LG election.
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However, the development had sparked protests by the outgone chairmen, loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, who are insisting that the Martins Amaewhule-led State Assembly had extended their tenure by six months in their repealed Local Government Administration law of the state.
However, RSIEC met with the leaders of political parties and major stakeholders in the state in order to conduct the election in the state.
BREAKING: Rivers announces date for local government elections
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BREAKING: Court dismisses Nnamdi Kanu suit against FG
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BREAKING: Court dismisses Nnamdi Kanu suit against FG
A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a lawsuit filed by Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Kanu had sought N1 billion in damages for alleged rights violations.
Kanu’s suit, marked FHC/CS/1633/2023, accused the Department of State Services (DSS) and its Director General of violating his right to fair hearing. He claimed that the DSS prevented his lawyers from having unhindered interactions with him while he was detained, impeding the preparation of his defense in his criminal trial.
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- Shehu Sani warns Tinubu not to repeat Buhari’s mistakes
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However, in his judgment on Monday, Justice James Omotosho ruled that Kanu failed to provide credible evidence to support his claims.
The judge found no proof that the DSS interfered with Kanu’s interactions with his lawyers, denied him unhindered access to legal counsel, or eavesdropped on his conversations with his lawyers, which would constitute a breach of his right to fair hearing.
BREAKING: Court dismisses Nnamdi Kanu suit against FG
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