BudgIT, the civic-tech organization dedicated to promoting transparency and accountability in governance, has raised concerns over the 2025 Federal Government Budget under President Bola Tinubu.

The organization called on the National Assembly to address irregularities in the proposed budget and ensure public participation in the review process to guarantee that the final budget aligns with the needs of Nigerians, focusing on job creation, poverty reduction, and inclusive economic growth.

According to BudgIT’s Communications Associate, Nancy Odimegwu, a review of past budget performances highlights that the government often misses its macroeconomic targets, leading to fiscal risks, mounting public debt, and unforeseen financial obligations.

One major issue identified by BudgIT is the omission of budget breakdowns for critical Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in the 2025 proposal.

Notably absent are allocations for the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), which stand at 341.63 billion and 940.5 billion, respectively.

BudgIT also pointed out the absence of budget details for over 60 government-owned enterprises (GOEs), including key agencies such as the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

The organization also raised concerns over the way regional development commission budgets were classified under personnel costs.

A combined N2.49 trillion was allocated to five regional commissions, but BudgIT argued that this classification obscures the true operational costs and hinders transparency in fund utilization.

Additionally, BudgIT highlighted the omission of funding for the crucial Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project, a significant infrastructure initiative that could face delays or require fund reallocation if not addressed in the budget.

The group also criticized the lavish retirement package proposed for military generals, which contradicts President Tinubu’s earlier commitment to reduce the cost of governance.

BudgIT expressed concerns that such provisions could inflate the budget, worsen the fiscal deficit, and demoralize lower-ranking military personnel who lack sufficient retirement benefits and healthcare.

BudgIT urged lawmakers to prioritize national interests and ensure the 2025 budget promotes macroeconomic stability, equitable development, and addresses the needs of vulnerable Nigerians.

The Presidency has criticized Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, accusing him of engaging in “irresponsible politics” instead of focusing on the urgent issues facing his state.

In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, the government reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to national development and the well-being of Nigerians.

The statement highlighted the Tinubu administration’s preference for working with state governors and key stakeholders on critical issues, rather than participating in personal or partisan politics.

It emphasized that President Tinubu, having secured a national mandate, remains determined to deliver on his promises without being distracted by political detractors.

Dare also addressed Governor Mohammed’s recent remarks regarding the ongoing Tax Reform Bills, calling for constructive engagement with the legislative process rather than attempts to derail it.

He argued that such actions are undemocratic and serve only personal interests.

The statement further criticized Governor Mohammed’s leadership in Bauchi, pointing to the state’s persistent poverty despite the availability of resources.

It urged the governor to focus on improving the lives of his constituents rather than using national politics to deflect attention from his governance challenges.

He reiterated President Tinubu’s dedication to economic reforms, noting that Nigerians are beginning to feel the positive effects, with more improvements expected in the near future.

The Presidency urged Governor Mohammed to prioritize the welfare of Bauchi residents over political theatrics.

During the 2025 budget defence session in the Senate, Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, found himself under intense scrutiny over the implementation of the 2024 budget, particularly regarding capital expenditure and the proceeds from fuel subsidy removal.

The drama unfolded when Senator Abdul Ningi, former Deputy Senate Leader representing Bauchi Central, raised pointed questions about how the government had spent the savings from the fuel subsidy removal in the 2024 fiscal year.

Ningi questioned the finance minister on the specifics of the expenditure, as well as debt servicing details, saying, “We haven’t heard from the Minister how much has been saved from the removal of fuel subsidy and how much has been expended.”

He further pressed Edun on the capital expenditure performance for the 2024 fiscal year and whether the extension of the capital budget to June 30, 2025, would lead to the desired results.

In response to the barrage of questions, Edun, visibly unsettled, requested a closed-door session for a more detailed explanation of the fuel subsidy spending and other fiscal matters.

“Are we in a closed-door session? If we are not, I will humbly seek that for detailed explanations on the questions asked,” Edun said.

Senator Olamilekan Adeola, Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, granted Edun’s request and instructed journalists to leave the room to facilitate the closed-door session.

Earlier, the Senate Committee on Information and National Orientation, chaired by Senator Kenneth Eze, also put the Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, and the Director General of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Ali Mohammed Ali, under pressure regarding their budget proposals for 2025.

The NOA was asked to revisit its 2025 budget proposal for the National Identity Project, with the committee members asserting that the project was not well known to the Nigerian public, particularly those in rural areas.

Issa-Onilu defended the project, calling it crucial for national development and growth, but the committee insisted on a revised proposal.

Similarly, the NAN DG was instructed to reconcile discrepancies in the 2024 budget implementation figures before presenting the 2025 projections.

The Labour Party (LP) has warned the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, that they will be held responsible if any harm comes to Mr. Peter Obi or his associates.

In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, LP Caretaker Committee Chairman, Senator Nanedi Usman, condemned Morka’s remarks made during an interview on Arise Television on January 5, 2025.

Usman expressed grave concern over the potential consequences of Morka’s comments, which she described as a direct threat to Obi’s life, reputation, and business interests.

Usman stated, “It is with great concern and a deep sense of responsibility that I condemn the recent incendiary remarks made by Mr. Felix Morka. His statements not only pose a direct threat to the life, reputation, and business interests of Mr. Peter Obi but also constitute an affront to the principles of democracy, decency, and responsible political engagement.”

She emphasized that Morka’s actions represent a failure by the APC to engage constructively with important national issues. “Such inflammatory rhetoric has no place in our democracy. It undermines national unity, discourages productive political discourse, and endangers lives,” Usman added.

The LP chairperson further warned that the party would hold Morka and the APC leadership accountable for any harm that may come to Obi.

She called on security agencies to investigate the matter and ensure those who use public platforms to incite violence or make threats are held accountable.

Usman also urged the APC to publicly apologize to Obi and retract Morka’s comments.

“Anything less would be a tacit endorsement of such reckless and dangerous behavior,” she said.

Senator Orji Kalu, the former Governor of Abia State and current Senator for Abia-North, has revealed his discussions with both Abia State Governor Alex Otti and President Bola Tinubu during his recent meetings with the two leaders.

Kalu, who serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Privatisation, visited Governor Otti in Ngwa, Abia State, this week, just after meeting with President Tinubu in Abuja.

He expressed that his engagement with the Governor was private and non-political, stressing that he will not publicly praise or criticize Otti.

Instead, he prefers to offer his advice directly and behind closed doors.

On his meeting with President Tinubu, Kalu disclosed that he had advised the President to exclude outdated empowerment initiatives, such as the distribution of tricycles (Keke Napep) and motorcycles, from the 2025 national budget.

According to Kalu, such programs are no longer effective in alleviating poverty and fail to align with modern economic realities.

He suggested that the government focus on critical infrastructure development, including roads, education, healthcare, and security, as the path to meaningful growth and development.

Kalu acknowledged that President Tinubu had taken his advice into account, which he described as a positive move.

He further expressed his satisfaction with the President’s willingness to listen and act on matters of national concern.

Kalu also emphasized that his relationship with both Otti and Tinubu goes beyond politics, and he has direct access to both leaders to discuss issues candidly.

The senator also touched on the ongoing tax reform bills, stating that the proposed changes are aimed at fostering competition among Nigeria’s states and improving productivity.

However, Kalu noted that the consultation process for the reforms had not been ideal and emphasized the need for more engagement to ensure effective implementation.

Kalu reiterated his commitment to speaking the truth to any leader, including President Tinubu, regardless of political affiliations, and assured that his goal is to prioritize the well-being of Nigerians over personal or political interests.