The Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, has tackled President Muhammadu Buhari for accusing federal lawmakers of budget padding while also proceeding to assent to the law.
In a statement he posted to his Facebook Page, Mr. Sani wondered why the President would sign a document despite objecting to its content.
“Why should Mr President, a person known for only doing what is right and is always right append his signature to a document he considers fraudulent or dubious or full of insertions or subtractions? the senator asked.
He added, “Who is that so powerful to compel the President to do what is wrong?
“The Commitee On Approriation publicity stated that the adjustment was done in concert and concord with the Ministers. Why is there no denial yet? And If the Ministers acted without the consent of the President why are they not yet fired?
“I can confirm that the relevant persons in the Senate will point by point respond to the issues raised by Mr President.One side of the story cannot produce a fair judgment.
“The President supposed to reject and return the Budget and not sign on what he considers wrong. Signatures should reflect our conscience and not our compulsion.”
President Buhari had on Wednesday accused the National Assembly of tampering with the 2018 budget sent to them by cutting essential projects and inserting non-essential ones.
Mr Buhari stated this while signing the 2018 budget into law.
“I am concerned about some of the changes that the National Assembly has made to the budget proposals that I presented,” he said.
“Many of the projects cut are critical and may be difficult, if not impossible, to implement with the reduced allocation. Some of the new projects inserted by the National Assembly have not been properly conceptualized, designed and costed and will therefore be difficult to execute.