Former deputy governor of Lagos State, Alhaja Sinatu Ojikutu, has advised citizens to be well enlightened on budget monitoring to reduce corrupt practices among public officials.
She stated this against the backdrop of lingering allegations of budget padding in the National Assembly.
Senator representing Bauchi Central, Abdul Ningi, had alleged that the National Assembly inflated the 2024 budget to N28.7tn.
In an interview, Ningi stated that although the National Assembly approved a budget of N25tn for the 2024 fiscal year, the Presidency was implementing one worth N28.7 trillion.
Some Nigerians, including the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, demanded an immediate and thorough investigation of the allegations.
While the Federal Government has denied the allegation, the Senate, on the other hand, issued a three-month suspension to Ningi over the allegation.
Reacting, Ojikutu, in an interview with Saturday PUNCH, said citizens should be well enlightened on budget monitoring.
She said, “If Nigerians are enlightened enough to monitor the budget and its execution, and speak out when discrepancies are observed, the outflow of funds into private pockets will be greatly reduced.
“The politicians hate enlightened citizens and will do everything to frustrate education, civic knowledge, and orientation. Also, I am urging everyone, especially the elite among us to examine ourselves.” (Punch)