Nigerians React As Lawmakers Boo Buhari During 2019 Budget Presentation

The humiliation of President Muhammadu Buhari during his Wednesday presentation of the 2019 Appropriation Bill has drawn reactions from Nigerians who took to social media to express diverse opinions.

In a manner that perhaps has never been seen before, the lawmakers at a joint session of the National Assembly today interrupted the President’s speech while he made the 2019 budget proposal.

The lawmakers could be heard saying – “No! No!” “It’s a lie” “campaign speech” “boo” – as the President outlined areas where his administration had thrived since his presentation of the 2018 budget.

Buhari had said that the nation’s economy recovered from its last recession due to some economic policies put in place by his administration, but some of the lawmakers who were opposed to the president’s submission kept chanting “No! No!”.

While some lawmakers disapproved of the President’s submission, others who were in support of the President kept clapping for him.

President Buhari however managed to finish reading his speech after which he proposed 8.83 trillion as the nation’s budget for 2019.

Some of the highlights of the President’s presentation read:

“We will be establishing a health system that prioritises primary healthcare so that millions of our people will be insured for our minimum package of services with the poorest exempt from co-payment.”

“After 40 years of neglect we have awarded and revived the Mambilla Hydro project.”

“To further support SME’s, we have set aside N15 billion while the sum of N10 billion has been granted to BOI for this purpose.”

“Trading is a significant contributor to our country’s economy. But we must strengthen other areas such as Information Technology and Entertainment; all hands must be on deck to ensure the country succeeds.”

“Our Home Grown School Feeding Programme means for opportunities. The programme feeds 9.2million children every day in 26 States of the Federation, employs 95,422 cooks, and over 100,000 small holder farmers.”

“The Budget intended to further place the economy on the path of higher, inclusive, diversified & sustainable growth. It is intended to consolidate our investments in infrastructure and to continue to lift significant numbers of our citizens out of poverty”

“In the North Central, long neglected roads like the Ilorin-Jebba Road, a stretch of 93 km that took a number of days to travel has been completed to provide a critical link between the North and South of Nigeria over a few hours.”

“We can all commit to the early passage of this Bill.I thank you most sincerely for your attention. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Below are some Twitter reactions on the drama that transpired during President Buhari’s budget presentation:

As he was presenting the 2019 budget, senators and house of Rep members booed him and he said “May I remind members of the National Assembly that the world is watching us. We are supposed to be above this”

Imagine Buhari saying we're supposed to be above this ??#Budget2019

— CONFIDENCE (@realNCNC) December 19, 2018

Law makers deflated buhari during budget presentation.

— Susan (@adorablesusann) December 19, 2018

Representation is neither about chanting "sai Buhari " nor booing the president but about ensuring the people of your constituency get the dividends of democracy. Most of those who hailed or booed the president today have nothing to show in their constituents #Budget2019

— Gbolahan Lawanson (@BGLawanson) December 19, 2018

''The #Budget2019 is intended to further place the economy on the path of higher, inclusive, diversified & sustainable growth. It is intended to consolidate our investments in infrastructure and to continue to lift significant numbers of our citizens out of poverty" – @MBuhari

— Adebayo Bankole Akintunde (@AdeBanqie) December 19, 2018

APCUKingdom NGRSenate It should be noted that this is the first time a president of AsoRock is presenting a budget before an opposition lead national assembly chamber.#NextLevelBudget #NextLevel #NextLevelNigeria #Budget2019

— Aroyehun Kayode (@AroyehunK) December 19, 2018

This statement "This being my last budget presentation to the 8th National Assembly" has given my a doughful mind. Can this man be the real @MBuhari but the statement has many meaning. #Budget2019 pic.twitter.com/wMIwMQSQFQ

— Adebowale (@Adebowale2580) December 19, 2018

The last time a Nigerian President was booed at the Nass was Before you principals had thier Dubai arrangement. The lawmakers were told to boo the president, so that you @renoomokri @benmurraybruce and all can spill this shitty tweet. #Budget2019

— AdeMillion (@afilmhead) December 19, 2018

I can’t believe seeing this kindergarten and akara eaters who call themselves lawmakers. Their childish behavior is top notch. @nassnigeria #budget2019@DrJoeAbah

— Big Sam (@BigSamability) December 19, 2018

Nigeria is in dire need of responsible leaders with dignity and respect for themselves, their office and to one another. #Budget2019

— Edward Enejoh (@EdwardEnejoh) December 19, 2018

They asked Dr Yemi Kale to move the release of unemployment report (to manipulate him) to Dec 19th after other reports were released on Dec 14th so they would use #NextLevelBudget presentation as a distraction. If only they knew Buhari was going to be booed! #Budget2019

— ThankGod Ukachukwu (@kcnaija) December 19, 2018

We shouldn't focus mainly on the Presidency and governorship election in 2019, we should also make sure that only sensible people are elected and returned to the National Assembly #Budget2019

— Your Village People (@Onyema_Donald) December 19, 2018

At some point we have to educate these 'sheeples' at the #NASS that patriotism trumps politics.#Budget2019#GetInvolved

— A (@adinoyi2005) December 19, 2018