The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure transparency in the 2024 budget by initiating a thorough investigation into alleged insertions and conducting a comprehensive review. According to a statement from the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP reiterates its call for Senator Akpabio to face investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) regarding the alleged misappropriation of N108 billion from Akwa Ibom State and the N86 billion contract scam during his tenures as Governor and Minister.
The PDP criticizes the APC-led Senate, led by Senator Godswill Akpabio, for attempting to deflect attention from demands for an investigation into the alleged insertion of N3.7 trillion for nonexistent projects in the budget. The PDP accuses the APC of being apprehensive that a thorough investigation would expose the perpetrators and reveals how funds were purportedly distributed among APC lawmakers.
The statement underscores the insensitivity of the Akpabio-led APC Senate leadership toward the welfare of Nigerians during economic hardship, criticizing their efforts to thwart investigation through threats, harassment, and diversionary tactics.
The PDP maintains that neither attacks nor distractions from the APC Senate leadership will deter them or the Nigerian public from demanding a transparent investigation into the budget padding allegations. Failure to address these allegations, the statement warns, would tarnish the Senate’s integrity and undermine its constitutional role in oversight and investigation of public institutions. The PDP insists that Senator Akpabio should step aside to allow for an impartial investigation, as he cannot objectively preside over the matter.