President Bola Tinubu has debunked the allegation of N3.7 trillion added to the 2024 Appropriation Bill, saying those making the claims did not understand the arithmetic of the budget.

The senator representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District, Abdul Ningi, had accused the Senate of padding the 2024 budget to the tune of N3.7 trillion.

The lawmaker, who is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Population, said there was another budget different from what was passed on the floor of the National Assembly.

He was later suspended by the Senate over his allegation of budget padding.

However, President Tinubu, while speaking on the allegation on Thursday, March 21, 2024, said he knew the arithmetic of the budget and the numbers he presented to the lawmakers.

He said the integrity of the National Assembly must remain intact, adding that his administration will always encourage cooperation for the advancement of the country.

Tinubu, who hosted the leadership of the Senate to a dinner to break the Ramadan fast at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday, 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. Thank you very much.

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“Those who are talking about malicious embellishment in the budget; they 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. On the current economic difficulty, we are about turning the corner. Our revenue has improved. All we have to do is to control expenditure and manage ourselves better.

“Light is at the end of the tunnel, and Nigerians will soon smile again.”

The president further thanked the members of the National Assembly for the speedy attention given to the Student Loan Amendment Bill, urging more tolerance, forgiveness, and charity during Ramadan.

Also speaking, Senate President Godswill Akpabio thanked Tinubu for hosting the lawmakers, noting that regular interactions would enhance understanding and productive governance.

“We bring you greetings from the 10th senate. We bring you assurances of continuous collaboration because we believe strongly that for us to have two brothers from the National Assembly as President and Vice President, and even the Chief of Staff as our member, we have no option but to work with you, and to do everything possible for this administration to succeed,” Akpabio said.

The Star