President Muhammadu Buhari’s Hesitation In Signing The 2016 Budget As Passed By The National Assembly Is Circumspect – CACOL

The Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders, CACOL, views the hesitation by President Muhammadu Buhari in the signing of the 2016 Budget as circumspect, logical and commendable, this is considering the incidences that have trailed the processes of the budget since it was laid on the floor of the National Assembly in December 2016.

The Executive Chairman of CACOL, Mr. Debo Adeniran described Buhari’s hesitation as being indicative of the reality that the President indeed learnt from the incidences and all the brouhaha that trailed the processes since he presented the Budget to the National Assembly.

He said ‘’it is only logical for the President to thoroughly scrutinize the Budget this time around based on ‘paddings’ and other corrupt manipulations of the budget that were revealed earlier. We remember the revelations led to Nigerians challenging the integrity of thePresident and government as it was apparently a contradiction that a government that rode to power on the mantra of ‘change’ couldget caught in ‘the games’ of the hitherto existing system.’

“It should be noted that NASS reportedly slashed the Budget by17 billion naira, having reduced the total sum from 6.077 trillion to 6.060 trillion naira. It is only logical for the President to study the Budget closely especially areas where adjustments or changes has been made in order to understand how this will affect the thrust of the government on one hand and the expectations of on the other.’’ Mr. Adeniran stated. He continued, “it is also reported that even the National Assembly is still looking at the Budget after hurriedly passing it, this indeed vindicates President Buhari.’’ Said, the CACOL Leader.

CACOL however hasten to demand the prioritization of the signing of the Budget on the list of what the President has to do with utmost urgency. Nigerians are moaning in pains; it is the second quarter of the year already, the government need to harmonise the Budget without any unreasonable delay so as to be able to activate it and thereby alleviate the conditions of Nigerians who are the real victims of government abracadabra