Politics
Opposition tags Tinubu’s N47.9tn budget unrealistic
The Coalition of United Political Parties, the Peoples Democratic Party, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party have criticised President Bola Tinubu’s proposed 2025 budget of N47.9tn, expressing doubts about its feasibility and potential to address Nigeria’s economic challenges.
President Tinubu presented the budget to a joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday, emphasising its focus on economic recovery and development.
However, opposition parties have flagged various concerns.
The CUPP National Secretary, Peter Ahmeh, highlighted instances of budget duplication and mismanagement, claiming that previous APC-led budgets had not translated into meaningful development.
“Every year, the budget increases, but so does poverty. Resources are being mismanaged, roads are deteriorating, and government expenses are skyrocketing. Without proper reviews and effective implementation, this budget will yield little to no development,” Ahmeh stated.
He also questioned the impact of previous budgets, citing unfulfilled promises and increasing hardships for Nigerians.
The NNPP National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, described the budget’s inflation and exchange rate targets as overly optimistic.
Headline inflation in November 2024 was 34.6%, yet the budget sets a target of 15%. To achieve this, inflation would need to drop by 1.63% per month, which seems unrealistic without clear strategies.
Food inflation, driven by insecurity in food-producing areas, accounts for half of the headline inflation, and there’s no significant plan for mechanised farming,” Johnson said
Johnson also questioned the exchange rate projection, which targets a reduction from N1,650 to N1,500 per dollar, and raised concerns about persistent oil theft undermining production targets.
Similarly, the PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, criticised the budget for its reliance on borrowing and accused the administration of failing to address fundamental economic challenges.
“This budget is filled with rhetoric and unrealistic projections. The government claims to save money while constantly seeking loans. Corruption within the administration undermines any chance of success,” Osadolor said.
He emphasised the struggles of ordinary Nigerians, citing skyrocketing food prices, a declining foreign exchange rate, and a stagnant industrial sector.
“A bag of rice now costs more than the minimum wage of most Nigerians. The National Assembly must prioritise strategies to grow the economy instead of relying on endless borrowing,” he said.
Across the board, the opposition raised questions about the sustainability of the budget and its potential impact on Nigeria’s growing debt burden.
They called on the government to adopt more transparent, realistic, and actionable policies to tackle inflation, enhance food security, and address the structural weaknesses in the economy.
FCT Minister and former governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike, has said that any senator, House of Representatives Member, Minister, or governor who supports betrayers will suffer betrayal in their lives and that such person will join their creator when they experience their own betrayal.
Wike who is currently in a running battle with his godson and incumbent governor of Rivers state, Sim Fubara, said this while speaking at a public function in the state today February 6.
Speaking to the crowd at the public function, Wike said
‘’Wether you are a Senator, House of Reps member, a Minister or Governor, and you support betrayers, people will continue to betray you in life. You see people who betray and support them, betrayal is your portion! Betrayal is your portion! and that day you will not have mouth to say anything and there you will collapse and there you will go and they will announce such person has died because that is the seed you have planted because whatever you plant, you reap and so since you are sowing betrayal, betrayal will always follow you.
Watch! Every governor who is doing his second term and has ambition to put a successor and is supporting betrayals, you will never survive it. Betrayal will follow you. From the day your successor comes in. My own took so many months, your own will start immediately the person has been inaugurated. That is what the gods of the land have told me to tell all of you’’
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUdaCp1jD01/?igsh=MWVnZXoyaGNmOGJ5dA==
Chairman, Policy Manifesto Committee of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, John Odigie-Oyegun, says former president Muhammadu Buhari gave him the shock of his life, six months into his administration as Nigeria’s leader.
Oyegun made this disclosure on Friday when he featured in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’.
He revealed that as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, he went to tell Buhari that he was not delivering his election promises to Nigerians but that the late president told him he would not rule with strictness, but rather wanted to show Nigerians that he is a true civilian president.
The former APC National Chairman lamented that it became business as usual, from there.
“I was national chairman of the APC. Six months or less into our assuming office, fairly alarmed, I went to the late President Buhari for a one-on-one talk. I said Mr President, this is not what the people were expecting. They wanted a bit of the old president Buhari.
“And he explained to me, Mr Chairman, I have learned my lesson. I was shocked. And don’t forget at that time, a lot of prominent Nigerians took their holidays abroad, just to be sure and see what this new sheriff in town will be.
“Buhari told me he wants to now show the people that he’s a true civilian president in Agbada. And by the time we finished the conversation, I said Oh God, we are finished. Because, if he’s not ready to be strict, what’s the point?
“Weeks later, months later, years later, I was proven correct. And of course, it became business as usual, only that they are a new set of tenants in Aso Rock. That was a shocker,” he said.
Former lawmaker, Dino Melaye Esq, has raised concerns over the Senate’s reported rejection of the electronic transmission of election results.
The move, according to Melaye, is a clear endorsement of election rigging and an indication of a sinister plan to rig the 2027 elections.
In a statement on Friday, the former lawmaker criticized the Senate’s decision, stating that it undermines the credibility of the electoral process.
The African Democratic Congress, ADC chieftain, also stated that the move opens the door for electoral manipulation and fraud.
He further warned that the rejection of electronic transmission of results is a step backwards for democracy in Nigeria.
Melaye called on lawmakers and citizens to stand up against “this blatant attempt to undermine the will of the people and ensure that future elections are free, fair, and transparent”.
Audu Innocent Ogbeh: Scholar, Legislator, and Federal Minister
Nyesom Wike wishes de@th on any politician supporting ‘’betrayers’
How Buhari shocked me 6 months into his administration – Oyegun
-
Business1 year ago
US court acquits Air Peace boss, slams Mayfield $4000 fine
-
Trending1 year agoNYA demands release of ‘abducted’ Imo chairman, preaches good governance
-
Politics1 year agoMexico’s new president causes concern just weeks before the US elections
-
Politics1 year agoPutin invites 20 world leaders
-
Politics1 year agoRussia bans imports of agro-products from Kazakhstan after refusal to join BRICS
-
Entertainment1 year ago
Bobrisky falls ill in police custody, rushed to hospital
-
Entertainment1 year ago
Bobrisky transferred from Immigration to FCID, spends night behind bars
-
Education1 year ago
GOVERNOR FUBARA APPOINTS COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR KEN SARO-WIWA POLYTECHNIC BORI