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National Assembly approves 2024 Budget, raises it to N28.77 trillion

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The National Assembly on Saturday passed the 2024 budget, increasing it to N28.77 trillion.

While President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had in November presented N27.5 trillion proposed budget for 2024 to the joint session of the National Assembly, the National Assembly on Saturday passed a budget of N28.77 trillion.

The National Assembly increased the budget presented by President Tinubu by N1.2 trillion.

Against speculations in some quarters, the National Assembly disclosed that President Tinubu will sign the budget on Sunday.

Addresing newsmen shortly after the passage, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Solomon Adeola Olamilekan said that the 10th National Assembly would still maintain the January-December budget circle, adding that Mr. President can sign the budget anywhere in the country.

Explaining the reason behind the increasment, the Senate said the difference arose from additional request for some agencies after the initial proposals by the President.

Olamilekan said: “Through the closely and harmonious appropriation process, the Executive forwarded request for additional funding and some items of expenditure to the Committee which were not included in the Bill as submitted by the President. In order to accommodate the requests, the following adjustments have been made on the Bill:
* Foreign Exchange differential
*GOE’s Revenue Increased
*GOE’s Personnel reduction
*Service Wide Vote (Wage adjustment)
*Reduction from Service Wide.”

While the Senate also raised the exchange rate assumption from N750/USD to N800/USD, it adopted the oil price benchmark of 77.96 US Dollars per barrel and daily oil production estimate of 1.78 million barrels per day.

The budget deficit remained N9.18 trillion just as assumption on GDP growth rate remained 3.88 per cent.

The budget as passed include aggregate expenditure of 28.777,404,073,861 trillion, statutory transfers of N1,742,786,788,150, and capital expenditure of N9,995,143,298,028.

The sum of N9,178,930,385,914 is voted for aggregate financing items which include, the sum of N7,828,529,477,860 trillion for Debt financing. Asset sale/privatisation is N298,486,421,740 billion. Multilateral/bilateral project-tied loans is N1,051,914,486,314 trillion.

The Senate, however, noted that “the 2024 Appropriation Bill was presented to the National Assembly late, adding that “this is against the Fiscal Responsibility Act which requires the Bill be presented not later than three (3) months before the next financial year, which puts intense pressure on the processing of the Bill.”

It recommended that to ensure thorough scrutiny of budget proposal, the executives should henceforth comply with the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act.

The senate asked that the Executive should ensure compliance with the provisions of relevant/extant laws as it concerns GOES

It also stated that agencies removed from FGN budget should step up their revenue generation, fund itself and remit more to the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

Olamilekan, while addressing newsmen also said that the lateness of the presentation of the budget is the reason for the fire brigade approach, adding, “the President will sign the budget before 1st January.

“There is no law that prevent the President from signing the budget on Sunday. And it can be signed from anywhere.”

He explained that they involved the executive on every stage, adding that a lot of work went into it before it was passed.

“For the President to sign, everybody was aware that we have no choice if we must maintain the January to December calendar. So, we harmonized it with the House of Representatives. This assisted us in quick collection of the report and the eventual passage,” he said.

Justifying the increase of the budget by N1.2 trillion, Olamilekan said, “what necessitate our actions is the removal of the fuel subsidy and the exchange rates, which Nigerians are paying dearly for it.

“The increase in the exchange rate, is behind the increase in the budget. Area of oil prices and bench mark is also another reason why the budget was increased and not any ulterior motive.

“Also, NCC, NPA, NIMAS were agencies affected by exchange rate which made us to increase the budget by N177 billion. If all is added, it’s amount to N1.2 trillion, which is the reason the budget has been jerked up.

“Water resources and the school feeding funds also cause us to add N100billion to the school feeding Programme. This was done so that the budget will meet the yearning of Nigerians.”

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CUPP lampoon Reps over move to investigate Ugochinyere, others for visit to Fubara

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**Calls for reversal of the ill-informed Move by the House of reps

The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has Condemned the attempt by the House of Representatives to refer Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere and other members to the Committee On Ethics for probe over their Solidarity Visit to the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

Fifty members of the House of Representatives hadq paid a solidarity visit to the Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to celebrate his one year in office.

The lawmakers, who consist of members of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP), Labour Party ( LP), New Nigeria Peoples Party ( NNPP), All Progressives Grand Alliance ( APGA) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) also include the spokesman of opposition coalition, in the House, Ikenga Ugochinyere..

Ugochinyere had explained on the sideline of the thanksgiving service in Port Harcourt that federal lawmakers were in Rivers to solidarilize with Fubara and celebrate with him on his one year of transformational leadership.

But the House had referred the Honourable members to the Committee on Ethics for disciplinary action over their visit

However, the chairman,

Media Committee of the

Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) Chief Barr. Chukwudi Ezeobika in a statement has tackled the leadership of the House for the action which he said clearly cast doubt on its integrity in the observance and or adherence to the laws which they enact/promulgate. 

“Relying on the point of order/ privilege raised by Yusuf Gagdi of the All Progressives Congress, Plateau State to arrive at such decision is erroneous and grossly misleading.

“The House, by this very action, has impugned on the integrity and sacredness of Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) especially Sections 39 and 40 which guarantee Freedom of Expression and the Press as well as that of Peaceful Assembly and Association respectively. 

“We, the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP),  hereby call on the leadership of the House of Representatives to, without further delay retract its ongoing steps in the purported probe of these Honourable members by its Ethics Committee and not engage in any act that may violate the fundamental rights of its members or any member of the public. 

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Kano Police counter reports that Emir Bayero will lead Jumma’t prayer

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the Kano State Police Command has countered reports that Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero will lead Jumma’t Prayers at Kofar Kudu Central Mosque, Kano, where Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi, Emir of Kano, leading prayer at the moment.
The reinstated Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II and the dethroned Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, have been laying claim to the throne, creating confusion in the city.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had dethroned Ado Bayero and asked him to hand over within 48 hours.
But the dethroned monarch in defiance returned to the town under military protection and has been operating from the mini palace since then.
In a statement by Abdullahi Kiyawa, spokesman of Kano Police Command, said, “The Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Usaini Gumel, FIPMA, psc further assured that all necessary security arrangements have been made for Alhaji Aminu Bayero to observe his Jummah Prayers in the Mosque where he lives at the Nasarawa Palace.
“The CP also assured that the Police and all other state security agencies will provide adequate security at the Palace where Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II is expected to observe his Jumma’at Prayers.
“Members of the public are therefore advised to ignore the false reports and misinformation circulating on social media and to go about their activities without fear of molestation or intimidation assuring that the Police will continue to provide the necessary security for ensuring that residents observe their Friday congressional prayers peacefully and without threats to their lives and property.”
The emirate tussle has continued to linger since the reinstatement of Sanusi and dissolution of the five emirates.
There have been cnflicting court orders for and against
Based on the conflicting orders, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kayode Ariwoola, had summoned the head of the Federal High high Court and Kano Chief Judge.
The Police statement reads,
KANO STATE POLICE COMMAND
31ST MAY, 2024

The Kano State Police Command is hereby advising all residents to disregard the false information circulating on social media that Emir Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero will lead Jumma’t Prayers at Kofar Kudu Central Mosque, Kano.

2. The Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Usaini Gumel, FIPMA, psc further assured that all necessary security arrangements have been made for Alhaji Aminu Bayero to observe his Jummah Prayers in the Mosque where he lives at the Nasarawa Palace.

3. The CP also assured that the Police and all other state security agencies will provide adequate security at the Palace where Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II is expected to observe his Jumma’at Prayers.

4. Members of the public are therefore advised to ignore the false reports and misinformation circulating on social media and to go about their activities without fear of molestation or intimidation assuring that the Police will continue to provide the necessary security for ensuring that residents observe their Friday congressional prayers peacefully and without threats to their lives and property.

SP ABDULLAHI HARUNA KIYAWA, ANIPR, MNISMA,
POLICE PUBLIC RELATONS OFFICER,
FOR: COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, KANO STATE COMMAND.

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Royal turbulence gets messier as emirs Sanusi II, Bayero move to hold prayer at Palace Mosque

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Dethroned Emir Aminu Ado Bayero and Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II

As the royal turbulence continue to shake the foundation of the city of Kano, the ancient city is tension soaked as the two contending Emirs- the reinstated Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II and the dethroned Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, have indicated their determination to hold Jumaat prayers at the Palace Central Mosque.
A press statement issued Thursday night, signed by Danburan Kano, Munir Sanusi Bayero, spelt out the itinerary of the reinstated Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II to the Mosque to lead the Jumaat Prayers.
The statement explained that Emir Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II, who resides in the Palace, and is closer to the contending Mosque, is expected to lead the two rakat Friday prayers.
Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II has been leading the Jumaat Prayers at the Palace Central Mosque as the Amir of the City, a statement explained.
The statement by Danburan invited Kano residents to come and listen to the sermon to be delivered by the Emir Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II.
However, another statement from an aide of the deposed Emir, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero invited residents to join him at the Emir’s Palace Friday Mosque to observe the Juma’at prayer.
It stated that the movement to the Emir’s Palace Mosque starts at 12.30 pm.
However, the police are yet to comment on the development.

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