The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has defended the 2023 supplementary budget signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stating that it is a necessary response to the country’s current economic challenges.

Idris’s response comes amid criticism from the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who opposed the approval of the ₦2.17 trillion supplementary budget by President Tinubu, claiming that certain emergencies and critical national needs were overlooked by the president.

Observations on the Supplementary Budget:

A supplementary budget is a budget made for very important national welfare needs of the people which were not captured originally in the main budget, or do not have adequate funding.

Admittedly, some items in the current budget may not have taken into consideration the needs of a new administration, but it is expected that a supplementary budget this late in the financial year should reflect mostly urgent items of national welfare.

Sadly, the most pressing national needs and emergencies have not featured in the supplementary budget that was just announced by the government. For example, the United Nations and World Food Programme have recently alerted that up to 6.5 million Nigerians will go hungry next year. This number is largely from among citizens in Sokoto, Adamawa, Borno, Yobe, and Zamfara States. A caring Government in order to plan for the mitigation of such pending catastrophe can request for supplementary budget provisions to cushion those under threat.

No item of urgent social welfare has yet featured in the supplementary budget being orchestrated by this government. Instead, the items being made to dominate public discourse on the budget include a mysterious Presidential Yacht, Presidential Jets, the furnishing of already lavishly furnished presidential quarters and offices, fleets of luxury SUVs etc. This portrays a Government that is totally uncaring and insensitive to the suffering of the majority, and indifferent to the mood of the nation.

The Government’s overall attitude does not indicate that it is aware that the country is in a huge crisis, nor is the government in tune with the plight of the generality of our people. Even worse is the fact that most of the funding for these profligate expenditures will be largely borrowed. The least that Nigerians expect from the government at this difficult moment is empathy and realism, not lavish indulgence. -PO

Peter Obi

FG Disputes Obi’s Claim of Insensitivity in Supplementary Budget

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has said the 2023 supplementary budget signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday November 8, 2023 is not insensitive, but rather a bold and pragmatic response to the pressing and economic challenges Nigeria currently faces.

The Minister urged the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party to take the time and effort to acquaint himself with the details of the N2.17 trillion 2023 Supplementary Budget, which includes allocations for essential sectors: security, agriculture and food security, works and housing, wage increase for workers, student loan scheme and social safety nets, among others, all aimed at strengthening the country’s economic foundations and improve the living conditions of Nigerians.

“The broad provisions in the supplementary budget is a reflection of President Tinubu’s strong desire and eagerness to support the vital functions of government, address urgent security needs, and fast-track the country’s recovery process from the economic impact occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy,” said Idris.

Idris urged the political opposition to be informed and balanced in the exercise of their right to differing opinions and refrain from misrepresentation of facts for political gains, explaining that the supplementary budget was derived from the active engagement and consultation with relevant stakeholders who ensured that the budgetary provisions aligned with the needs and expectations of Nigerians.

Idris emphasized that, in line with President Tinubu’s inclination to accountability and transparency in government expenditure, all items in the supplementary budget have been meticulously scrutinised to ensure efficient utilisation of public funds.

Rabiu Ibrahim
Special Assistant (Media)
To the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation
November 9, 2023

Peter obi is foolish!

I don't really understand, but Nigerian government have always misused fund.

That obi said it shouldn't be a problem, we already know

APShit are criminals

Probe Begins After OAU Lecturer Beats Up Student Over Refusal To Switch Off Phone

https://dailypostngr.com/2023/11/probe-begins-after-oau-lecturer-beats-up-student-over-refusal-to-switch-off-phone/

It seems this Mohammed idris won’t be any different from Lai Mohammed

The minister is quite professional in his response. It would have been a "gba gbos" situation in the past.

Obiedun:
Peter obi is foolish!

Keep crying

Peter Obi was simply saying that allocating such billions for the office of first lady which is not even constitutional is a total waste

Ok

Don't mind the Agulu featherweight 3rd class fake statistician.

Cry ooooooo
Weep ooooooo
Wail ooooooo

We cannot beat you from the polling booths up to the Courts in Nigeria and America, and then ask you not to cry like our mothers used to do. That will be animal cruelty. So cry blood

Is the supplementary budget not filled with frivolities including the needless monies for the President's yatch, SUVs for the first lady and NASS members?

Obiedun:
Peter obi is foolish!

Black man

Keep them on their toes.

Anytime Peter Obi speaks, they start trembling

edogu:
Keep them on their toes.

Keep who on their toes?

Because you see FG, you think say na Tinubu. I'm sure even the Minister no vet the publication. He is too big for that nonsense talkless of a whole President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, GCFR.

For clarity, the statement was written, signed and released by:

Rabiu Ibrahim
Special Assistant (Media)
To the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation

Peter Obi has been reduced to someone bickering with a special media assistant.

Obiedun:
Peter obi is foolish!

Yes especially to Criminals supporting a known Criminal called Tinubu.

Obiedun:
Peter obi is foolish!

He knows

Racoon:
Is the supplementary budget not filled with frivolities including the needless monies for the President's yatch, SUVs for the first lady and NASS members?

Cry oooooo

We are buying Presidential Yacth for Owambe Boat Parties. Owambe is our Culture, we eat, we drink, we sing, we dance, and carry Oloshos many of whom are your sisters selling their worthless bodies.

If this world contains only Yorubas, there will be no fight nor quarrels, just Owambe Parties everyday

Anoda lie mohammed

APCNig:
Cry ooooooo
Weep ooooooo
Wail ooooooo

We cannot beat you from the polling booths up to the Courts in Nigeria and America, and then ask you not to cry like our mothers used to do. That will be animal cruelty. So cry blood

He is crying for your suffering and smiling condition naa!


I believe your condition deserves crying for.

fergie001:
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has defended the 2023 supplementary budget signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stating that it is a necessary response to the country’s current economic challenges.

Idris’s response comes amid criticism from the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who opposed the approval of the ₦2.17 trillion supplementary budget by President Tinubu, claiming that certain emergencies and critical national needs were overlooked by the president.



Peter Obi

FG Disputes Obi’s Claim of Insensitivity in Supplementary Budget

Mad people, mad country.

Which facts he is to get right?Supplementary budget padded and riddled with lies?Tinubu on his inaugural address was quick to remove fuel subsidy but slow in mitigating the attendant and consequential hardships.

Hmmmm,this is what is expected from the opposition
I hope they will stay and build this party and not decamp,this is time to provide constructive criticisms and proferr alternatives
I expect they will understand that the next four years is enough time to show what ideas they would have implemented if they had won

Meanwhile check this link for good properties
around Dangote Refinery,Lekki Free Trade Zone and Deep Sea Port
https://www.nairaland.com/7905627/introducing-strongtower-estate-ode-omi#126875204

As how
What exactly are they defending
They should apologise for that level of wanton wastefulness and insensitivity

MEGAWATCH:




Yes especially to Criminals supporting a known Criminal called Tinubu.

Peter obi is a common criminal

Obi will never be our president

Useless thieving criminals in Aso Rock.
.