From Desmond Mgboh, Kano

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Second Republic parliamentarian, Dr. Junaid Mohammad has tasked the executive arm of government to immediately withdraw the 2016 budget in the light of the corruption scandal trailing the 2016 Appropriation Act.
Junaidu, who bared his mind during a chat with Sunday Sun in Kano held that, “If there is any honour left within the executive branch and within the National Assembly, the budget should be withdrawn immediately.”
He argued that he did not see how the 2016 budget could be implemented in the light of the flaws, and acknowledged irregularities that have been associated with the budget.
He advocated that in its place, the executive should initiate a new budget for the balance of the year while the time is being spent on a straight new budget to come into effect in 2017.
He added that his objection against 2016 budget was not only because of the controversy that has come to light or its very lousy background, but also because the budget could also not pass for a national budget. He noted that, “there is also the question of economic viability of the country itself. A budget which dedicates 37 per cent of its entire spending in only one ministry, most of which is in only one state, cannot be a national budget.”
“Thirty seven percent of the budget goes to the Ministry that is headed by Fashola. Secondly, 65 percent itself of the same budget goes to the South West. Are we being told that the rest of the country does not matter?” he questioned.
He said the 2016 budget was not driven by the philosophy of economic development, justice nor a sense of togetherness of the country but was put together to serve certain interests.
“It seems Buhari does not know anything about budget. He allowed them to get away with it, and most of the key ministers are from that area. So who is fooling who?” he asked. The NEPU politician also commented on the lopsidedness of the present administration, noting, “What has become crystal clear is that the Buhari administration has no credibility. Whether it is his own problem or his own style of administration, or whether it has to do with the party, but I will be quick to deny that the APC is at fault. No! It is essentially his style of administration and the characters that he has around him.   “As far as I am concerned, it is the responsibility of the President and leader to ensure that he gives credible leadership so that everybody will have a sense of belonging. At the moment, Buhari’s leadership does not endow parts of Nigeria with a sense of belonging.”