Peter Obi Criticizes 2023 Supplementary Budget, Labels Government “Uncaring”

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, has criticized the 2023 supplementary budget, describing it as evidence that the Federal Government is indifferent to the needs of the masses.

He expressed his disappointment that the budget did not address the pressing national needs and emergencies facing the country.

President Bola Tinubu recently signed the 2023 supplementary appropriation bill of N2.17 trillion into law.

The largest portion of the budget, amounting to N605 billion, was allocated to security to enhance the capacity of the armed forces and security agencies to address the country’s security challenges.

Other provisions in the budget included N5.5 billion for the student loan scheme and over N616 billion in wage awards for civil servants to mitigate the increased cost of living after the fuel subsidy removal.

In response to the supplementary budget and recent controversies over government expenditures, Obi stated that it portrays a government that is insensitive to the suffering of the majority and indifferent to the mood of the nation.

He emphasized that a supplementary budget introduced so late in the financial year should address urgent national welfare issues.

Obi cited a report from the United Nations and World Food Programme, warning that approximately 6.5 million Nigerians would go hungry in 2024.

He believed that the supplementary budget should have addressed such a potential catastrophe by providing provisions to mitigate the looming food crisis, especially in the affected states.

However, Obi expressed his disappointment that the budget did not include any items of urgent social welfare.

Instead, it featured items like a presidential yacht, presidential jets, and the furnishing of already lavishly furnished presidential quarters and offices.

He criticized the government for its lack of empathy and realism, especially since most of the funding for these expenditures would be obtained through borrowing.

In a time of crisis, Obi believed that the government should prioritize the welfare of the people over lavish spending.

Source: PUNCH