2024 Budget Well Articulated, Padding Allegation Baseless — Arewa Youths

The Arewa Youth For Liberty (AYFL) has described the 2024 Budget as a well-articulated fiscal document and already turning Nigeria’s economy around for the benefit of Nigerians.

The youth group, which disclosed this at the weekend while reacting to the controversy trailing the allegation of 2024 budget padding made by the suspended Bauchi Central Senator, Abdul Ningi, said the embattled lawmaker’s claims were without recourse to any evidence or fact, hence it should be discarded.

A statement signed by the Spokesperson of AYFL, Comrade Jabir Aminu Maiturare, a copy of which was sent to LEADERSHIP said: “It is imperative to begin by drawing the attention of Nigerians over the trending issue in respect of the 2024 Appropriation Act where a Senator Representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly and a former Chairman of the Northern Senators Forum for the 10th Assembly Sen. Abdul Ningi claims that there is a N3.2trn naira untraceable to any project or service in the Appropriation Act without recourse to evidence or facts to back his allegation against the leadership of the Senate and the President and Commander-in-Chief.

“In recent times, Nigeria have not gotten a well articulated Appropriation Act better than the one of 2024 currently in operations which is capable of making positive impact on the nation’s economy. We at Arewa Youth for Liberty (AYFL) are of the conviction that this progress is the results of the National Assembly’s meticulousness in considering the 2024 Appropriation Bill.

“In the light of this, we wish to commend the National Assembly and His Excellency, the President for their efforts in ensuring that the Appropriation Act was designed to address critical questions of national development and thankfully, the budget has began making significant impact towards reducing inflation in our economy.”

Maiturare noted that the quick passage of the 2024 Appropriation Act by the National Assembly will no doubt help in boosting economic growth, foster growth and development, adding that the allocation of funds to critical sectors like health, education, transportation and infrastructure clearly underscored the commitment of President Bola Tinubu to move the nation forward and uplift the living standard of the citizens.

“This will no doubt result in increased economic activities and job creation, improve the welfare of the citizens and trigger growth of Small and Medium-size enterprises.

“Furthermore, the government’s commitment to fiscal prudence, transparency and accountability in the execution of the budget will result in the judicious use of public resources, thereby reducing waste and channelling funds to the collective benefit of the citizens.

“We recognise the importance of a well executed Appropriation Act and its attendant effect in the economic development of our country and we applaud the government’s efforts in this regard. We urge the government to continue to roll out policies that will support the growth and development of the country,” he added.

The group, therefore, called on patriotic Nigerians to embrace the national budget, support the government in its implementation and “disregard the vituperations of individuals like Sen. Abdul Ningi as it lack merit, too dirty for public consumption and can lead to chaos and disruption of democracy.”