Atiku Bagudu, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, lauded President Bola Tinubu’s modest lifestyle and emphasis on security in budget allocation during a three-day Cabinet Retreat in Abuja.
Bagudu addressed the controversy surrounding the purchase of a yacht, clarifying that it was not intended for President tinubu’s personal use.
The former Kebbi state governor stated this at the close of the 3-day cabinet retreat at the State House, Abuja.
His words, “President Tinubu should be given credit for his budget, with 95% of it deemed appropriate. He leads a modest life and personal comfort doesn’t matter to him. Before becoming president, he lived in a three-bedroom apartment in Abuja.”
He defended the allocation of a significant portion of the budget to defense and security, emphasizing their role in enhancing national security.
Bagudu highlighted that 30% of the supplementary budget is dedicated to the defense sector, in line with Tinubu’s commitment to tackling security issues.
Speaking further, he mentioned that a substantial portion of the budget is directed towards supporting vulnerable populations and infrastructure development. Bagudu stressed the importance of adhering to a well-defined plan for national growth.
The supplementary budget for 2023 had faced scrutiny, particularly related to the provision for a presidential yacht by the Navy and the allocation of over N6 billion for vehicles to the State House.
The Presidency clarified that the item for the Nigerian Navy was not for President Tinubu’s personal use and emphasized the need for clearer descriptions in the budget to avoid public confusion.
