Obi Vows To Relentlessly Criticize 2024 Nigerian Budget Amid Concerns Over Misplaced Priorities

• Obi Laments Disproportionate Budget Allocations, Calls for Reassessment of Priorities

• Criticizes Excessive Spending on National Assembly Facilities, Urges Channeling Funds to Crucial Sectors

• Warns of “Insensitivity to Present Situation and Challenges Faced by the People”

Eko Hot Blog reports that former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has pledged to maintain his persistent criticism of the 2024 Nigerian budget, expressing deep concerns about the allocation of resources to projects he deems insensitive and detrimental to the well-being of the masses.

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In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Obi lamented that the 2024 budget contains numerous anomalies, with many of the listed projects being insensitive and not beneficial to the Nigerian people. He vowed to continue speaking out against these issues until the end of the year, as he believes the budget does not align with the current circumstances in the country.

Obi, the former governor of Anambra State, argued that the budget should have allocated scarce resources to high-priority areas that are essential for the well-being of the nation, rather than serving the interests of a few in the political class. He expressed disappointment with the budget figures, which he said demonstrate a “low level of care for the rest of society.”

One of Obi’s main concerns is the allocation of 15 billion Nigerian Naira (approximately $35 million) solely for the National Assembly hospital, which he says exceeds five times the budgetary allocation to the National Hospital or the combined capital vote of the six major teaching hospitals in the country. He also criticized the 15.3 billion Naira (approximately $35.6 million) allocated for the National Assembly library project and procurement of books, including the e-Library, in a country where the National Library has been under construction for the past 20 years and receives less than 1 billion Naira (approximately $2.3 million) in the 2024 budget.

Furthermore, Obi expressed concerns about the 10 billion Naira (approximately $23.3 million) allocation for the Senate’s and House of Representatives’ car parks and the National Assembly Recreation Centre, while the budget for the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation received less funding. He argued that in an era where science, technology, and innovation are crucial for the nation’s future, such allocations demonstrate a lack of foresight and awareness of global trends and urgent national priorities.

Obi urged the government to reassess its priorities, revisit the budget, eliminate frivolous expenditures, and channel resources properly for the benefit of the people. He warned that the “level of insensitivity to the present situation and challenges faced by the people should not be tolerated by any development-minded nation.”

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The former presidential candidate’s persistent criticism of the 2024 budget highlights his commitment to holding the government accountable and advocating for the efficient allocation of the country’s scarce resources to address the pressing needs of the Nigerian people.

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