Former presidential candidate Peter Obi remains vocal in his opposition to the 2024 budget, emphasizing its significance for citizens' lives, particularly those in vulnerable economic positions. In a statement released on Tuesday, Obi expressed concerns about various aspects of the budget, highlighting discrepancies in resource allocation and calling for a reassessment of spending priorities.
Obi specifically criticized several allocations within the budget, pointing out the disproportionate allocation of N15 billion solely for the National Assembly hospital, which surpasses funding for critical healthcare institutions across the nation. He also questioned the justification behind allocating N15.3 billion for the National Assembly library project and procurement of books, while the National Library, under construction for two decades, receives significantly less funding.
Moreover, Obi raised objections to the allocation of N10 billion for the Senate's and House of Representatives car parks and the National Assembly Recreation Centre, arguing that such expenditures should be redirected toward sectors vital for national development, such as science, technology, and innovation.
Calling for a review of budget priorities and the elimination of unnecessary expenses, Obi emphasized the importance of directing resources toward productive sectors of the economy. He urged policymakers to reconsider their approach, emphasizing that sustainable national development cannot be achieved through wasteful spending.