The Federal Government of Nigeria has responded to the Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi who said the 2023 supplementary budget signed into law by President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday November 8, 2023 is insensitive.
Information and National Orientation Minister, Mohammed Idris in a statement released by his aide, Rabiu Ibrahim tackled the LP Presidential Candidate, telling him to refrain from misrepresentation of facts for political gains.
He urged the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party to take the time and effort to acquaint himself with the details of the N2.17 trillion 2023 Supplementary Budget, which includes allocations for essential sectors: security, agriculture and food security, works.
“And housing, wage increase for workers, student loan scheme and social safety nets, among others, all aimed at strengthening the country’s economic foundations and improve the living conditions of Nigerians”, he added.
The Minister noted that the Supplementary Budget is not insensitive, but rather a bold and pragmatic response to the pressing and economic challenges Nigeria currently faces and appealed the political opposition to be informed and balanced in the exercise of their right to differing opinions.
He explained that the supplementary budget was derived from the active engagement and consultation with relevant stakeholders who ensured that the budgetary provisions aligned with the needs and expectations of Nigerians.
Idris emphasized that, in line with President Tinubu’s inclination to accountability and transparency in government expenditure, all items in the supplementary budget have been meticulously scrutinised to ensure efficient utilisation of public funds.
Meanwhile, Peter Obi on Twitter (X) Wednesday said no item of urgent social welfare yet featured in the supplementary budget being orchestrated by govt. “Instead, the items being made to dominate public discourse on the budget include mysterious Presidential Yacht, Presidential Jets.
“The furnishing of already lavishly furnished presidential quarters and offices, fleets of luxury SUVs etc. This portrays a Government that is totally uncaring and insensitive to the suffering of the majority, and indifferent to the mood of the nation.
He noted that the government’s overall attitude does not indicate that it is aware that the country is in a huge crisis, nor is the government in tune with the plight of the generality of the people.
“Even worse is the fact that most of the funding for these profligate expenditures will belargely borrowed. The least that Nigerians expect from the government at this difficult moment is empathy and realism, not lavish indulgence”, Peter Obi criticized.