From: Femi Oyelola in Kaduna
A coalition of Civil Society Organizations, including the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), and the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), has condemned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly (NASS) for the recent repeal and re-enactment of the 2024 and 2025 Appropriation Acts.
The groups have labeled this action as “fiscal rascality” and a violation of the Constitution.
They argued that the repeal and re-enactment process lacked transparency and public participation, breaching Section 48(1) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act.
Furthermore, the organizations claim that the executive branch did not implement the 2024 budget within its extended timeframe and that the President spent an additional N8 trillion without prior legislative approval.
In defense of the repeal and re-enactment, the Budget Office of the Federation (BOF) stated that the actions are constitutional and adhere to Nigerian fiscal laws. BOF Director-General Tanimu Yakubu emphasized that the Constitution permits the National Assembly to repeal and re-enact an Appropriation Act when it is deemed necessary for the public good.
The civil society groups are demanding that the National Assembly ensure no expenditures occur without proper appropriation and that the President commits to spending only what has been allocated.
They also seek the immediate publication of the 2026 federal budget estimates, along with the 2024 and 2025 Appropriation Acts (Repeal and Re-enactment), on the websites of the BOF and NASS.
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