Amidst allegations of budget padding and calls for deeper scrutiny, former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, has vehemently defended the allocation of funds to constituency projects, asserting that constituents must tangibly feel the impact of government initiatives in their areas.
Speaking to journalists in Lagos on Friday, Obanikoro emphasized the paramount importance of ensuring that allocated funds translate into meaningful projects that directly benefit the communities they serve.
The controversy surrounding budget padding surfaced following claims by Bauchi Central’s Senator Abdul Ningi, who alleged in a BBC interview on March 9 that a significant portion of the 2024 budget lacked specific project allocations, amounting to a staggering N3.7 trillion.
In response to the uproar, the Senate, displeased with Ningi’s actions, voted to suspend him for three months, deeming his explanations unacceptable. However, calls for further investigation persist, fueling public debate on the issue.
Dismissing the allegations of padding, Obanikoro clarified that the funds in question were earmarked for constituency projects aimed at improving the lives of constituents, refuting claims of impropriety.
Nonetheless, he stressed the need for accountability and moderation, asserting that the effectiveness of these projects hinges on their tangible impact on communities.
“There’s nothing like padding; it’s been misconstrued. I don’t know if that is deliberate or not, but it, in its actual sense, is for constituency projects. As a senator, you’re responsible for your constituency by executing projects that will better the lives of people in your respective constituencies that you represent; that’s not padding.
”However, everything should be in moderation, and members of the constituency must feel the impact of the government in that constituency. That’s what justifies the essence of constituency projects,” he said as reported by News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Obanikoro’s remarks echo sentiments expressed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Adeniyi Akintola, who emphasized the need for clarity on the role of lawmakers and the electorate’s role in fostering good governance.
Akintola underscored the constitutional mandate of the National Assembly to enact laws, emphasizing that executing projects falls within the purview of the executive branch.
He lamented the electorate’s misconception of lawmakers’ responsibilities, urging for enhanced political education to promote accountability and transparency.
“We cannot blame the national assembly members. The electorate doesn’t know that the function of the national assembly is to make laws and not to allocate projects.
“Unfortunately, it is the same electorate that will go to them and be asking for largesse, palliative or what have you,” he said.
