Budget: Senate President Alleges Document Switch By Presidency

The Presidency had earlier been accused of withdrawing the budget but it denied the claims.

The Senate has established a committee instructed to investigate the controversy surrounding the “missing” 2016 budget.

Saraki then dropped the bombshell.

“What he distributed is different from what was presented by Mr. President and we have resolved not to address any version until we receive the version presented by Mr. President”, Mr. Saraki stated, referring to Mr. Enang.

Saraki did not stop there. The opposition is blaming the President who, in turn, blames it on the National Assembly.

The party further called on all lovers of democracy especially the global community to note the fact that rule of law and respect for citizens rights, essential ingredients of civil liberty have taken flight in Nigeria under President Buhari’s watch.

“Our finding is that Senator Ita Enang, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matter (SSA) printed copies of the 2016 Appropriation Bill and brought to the Senate”.

“In order to meet long-term financial commitments to our farmers, we need to ensure that we protect the credit financiers and banks that are involved in credit disbursement”, the Senate President said, adding that “Doing this will ensure that all stakeholders meet their financial obligations”.

“Budget can not be missing”.

He said: “We have concluded our investigation and the report will be submitted for everybody to see and we will debate it.”

BBC Nigeria analyst Naziru Mikailu notes that the loss of the budget documents is an “embarrassing development” for the parliament and the national government in general.

President Muhammadu Buhari delivered the hard copies of his first budget to both houses at the end of last month.