Those who are talking about malicious embellishment in the budget, did not understand the arithmetic – President Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has expressed disbelief in the claims suggesting that the 2024 budget is padded, asserting that such assertions lack a grasp of basic arithmetic.

Tinubu’s response came in reaction to Senator Abdul Ningi’s allegation that the 2024 budget had been padded by N3.7 trillion. This occurred during his hosting of the Senate leadership for the Ramadan fast at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday, March 22.

Emphasizing the importance of upholding the integrity of the National Assembly, the President affirmed his administration’s commitment to fostering collaboration with the legislative body for the progress of the nation.

He said; “I know the arithmetic of the budget and the numbers that I brought to the National Assembly, and I know what numbers came back. I appreciate all of you for the expeditious handling of the budget.

“Those who are talking about malicious embellishment in the budget; did not understand the arithmetic and did not refer to the baseline of what I brought. But your integrity is intact.

“I am grateful for what you have been doing. The natural challenge we are facing will be over. We are about turning the corner. Our revenue has improved. All we have to do is control expenditure and manage ourselves better.”

On the recent killing of soldiers in Delta State, the President insisted that the killers would face the full wrath of the law. Tinubu said;

“Our armed forces are working hard, and we will not allow attackers to undermine the integrity and value of our armed forces and its leadership.

“We will continue to encourage and fight for our sovereignty, our individual rights to exist, and we will succeed in banishing poverty from our land. ”