FG to Obi: Supplementary budget not insensitive — it’s response to pressing needs

The federal government says the N2 trillion supplementary budget signed into law by President Bola Tinubu is not insensitive to the plight of Nigerians.

The budget has drawn anger and criticisms from Nigerians after huge sums were earmarked for vehicles for the first lady’s office and a “presidential yacht”.

In a series of posts on X on Wednesday, Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the last polls, said it appears that the federal government is not aware that there is a “huge crisis” across different sectors in the country.

“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 our people,” Obi posted.

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 our people. Even worse is the fact that most of the funding for these profligate expenditures will be

— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) November 8, 2023

But in a statement on Thursday, Rabiu Ibrahim, media aide to Ibrahim Idris, minister of information and national orientation, quoted his principal as saying that the budget is in response to the country’s “pressing needs”.

“The 2023 supplementary budget signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday November 8, 2023 is not insensitive, but rather a bold and pragmatic response to the pressing and economic challenges Nigeria currently faces,” Idris said.

“The broad provisions in the supplementary budget is a reflection of President Tinubu’s strong desire and eagerness to support the vital functions of government, address urgent security needs, and fast-track the country’s recovery process from the economic impact occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy.”

The minister said the opposition should “be informed and balanced in the exercise of their right to differing opinions and refrain from misrepresentation of facts for political gains”.

Idris added that all items in the supplementary budget have been scrutinised to ensure efficient utilisation of public funds.