The former Anambra State governor stated that it represents a blatant disregard for fiscal responsibility, transparency, and accountability.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presenting the 2024 budget to the National Assembly
Peter Obi Criticizes Concurrent Implementation of Four National Budgets
The Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has criticized the Nigerian government’s concurrent implementation of four national budgets, describing it as a recipe for chaos, confusion, and catastrophe. In a post on his X handle on Saturday, Obi stated that this approach blatantly disregards fiscal responsibility, transparency, and accountability.
The former Anambra State Governor emphasized that such actions would lead to frivolous items in approved budgets competing with essential projects for limited resources, further worsening the plight of the Nigerian people. He wrote:
“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.
“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 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.”
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