Senate President Godswill Akpabio and several of his fellow senators have been implicated in an alleged padding scandal involving the N500 billion palliative budget.
It is reported that the budget was inflated by over N200 billion during the amendment of the 2022 Supplementary Appropriation Act.
News About Nigeria reports that, Akpabio, along with Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau and Senator Solomon Adeola, also known as Yayi, are believed to be the main culprits behind this budget manipulation.
They allegedly inserted more than N200 billion into the budget for various projects that were not initially included.
For instance, an unexpected N1 billion was allocated for the “supply of Tricycles (Keke NAPEP) to the underprivileged in society,” while N2 billion was earmarked for the “construction of public buildings in various communities and villages.”
Additionally, N4 billion was designated for the rehabilitation and construction of selected critical roads, and N2 billion was allocated for the “construction of a block of 3 classrooms with furniture and toilets, the construction and furnishing of skills acquisition centers, and the construction of primary healthcare centers with furniture in selected communities and towns.”
Numerous other projects were reportedly padded, including the construction of Edi Road, Sabo Market, and Ilaro Township Road in Yewa South, Ogun State.
Furthermore, N1 billion was allocated for the construction of roads in Imeko, Afon, Iwoye, and Obada, Ogun State, and another N1 billion for the construction of Ilashe-Agbara Road in Agbara Ado Odo-Ota, Ogun State.
The allegations continue with claims that N800 million was designated for police barracks on Old Baggage Link Road in Ode Ogun Idiroko, Ogun State.
And, N700 million was also allocated for the construction of rural roads in Ikot Ekpene LGA, Akwa Ibom, to enhance agricultural output. Similarly, N1.25 billion was reportedly set aside for the construction of rural roads in Essien Udim LGA, with the aim of improving farm produce.
The list of padded projects goes on, with various roads, infrastructure, solar street lights, transformers, and electrification schemes across different regions of the country purportedly receiving significant funding.
IAccording to sources, Senator Ali Ndume and other senators vehemently opposed the budget padding. However, Akpabio and his allies pushed through with the controversial amendments, despite the opposition.
