Amid N3trn Budget Padding Allegation, Shettima Advises Nigerians To Be Patient To Reap Beautiful Plans Tinubu Has For Them

Amid allegation of padding the 2024 Budget with N3trn, Vice President Kashim Shettima, has admonished Nigerians to be patient to reap the beautiful plans President Bola Tinubu has for them.

Speaking in Kafur, Katsina state when he flagged off an empowerment scheme sponsored by Ibrahim Masari, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Political Matters, Shettima said, “The president is quite thrilled by the show of support and empathy by Hon Ibrahim Kabiru Masari.”

He was speaking after allegations of budget padding to the tune of N3trn was reported by the Northern Senators Forum (NSF).

Abdul Ningi, who chairs the NSF comprising senators from the ruling All Progressives Congress, who are the majority, and other parties, alleged that the budget that was signed by the president was different from what the National Assembly passed (LINK).

Ningi is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and said he did not reveal the budget padding on the basis of being a member of the opposition party but “my love for Nigeria.”

Tinubu, who before his emergence as president was often accused of diverting Lagos State revenue, must explain how the budget jumped to N18trn instead of the N15trn passed by the lawmakers, Ningi said in an interview with the BBC Hausa service on Saturday.

Yet, Shettima said the president is empathetic towards Nigerians and called for patience, even boasting that Katsina State would continue to be governed by the APC.

“Leadership is all about showing empathy and support to the people. The president has the people of this our great nation at heart,” Shettima said.

He added that, “I am here to reassure the people of Katsina and by extension the north-west that there are very beautiful plans for the people.”

While commending the Masari For the empowerment, he urged people to emulate the presidential aide, “who is a lover of his people”.

He boasted that, “The All Progressives Congress (APC) shall continue to govern Katsina state because of the achievements of the current and previous administrations in the state.”
https://thewhistler.ng/tinubu-must-explain-who-padded-2024-budget-with-n3-trillion-northern-senators-forum-speaks/