Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), in the 2023 presidential election, Mr Peter Obi, yesterday, warned President Bola Tinubu against plans to implement four national budgets at the same time, saying it is a recipe for chaos and frivolity.
Obi’s advice came on a day he also called on the President to release the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, from detention.
Addressing newsmen in Onitsha, Anambra State, the former governor said there was no justification for the continued detention of Kanu, especially when the court had granted him bail.
According to Obi, government must obey the law because it is a valuable asset that must be respected.
Obi said: “Government must obey the law as the rule of law is an intrinsic asset that we must cherish and live with. And I have always said that I am going to discuss with every agitator. I plead with the government to ensure that all those who are in a similar condition are released and discussed with. We are a democratic nation and we should not be doing things that are arbitrary and not within the law”.
Calling on the country’s leaders to double their efforts in securing the country, he said: “The primary work of government is the security of lives and property. As I always say, the primary duty of any government is the security of life and property.
It is the foundation on which people live in a nation because nobody can stay in an insecure place. And it is worrisome what is happening in Nigeria where people wake up every day with news of killings, abductions and kidnappings, which have made Nigeria one of the most insecure places on the surface of the earth and it requires urgent attention.
“As I thank the governments in the zone for their efforts, there is a need to do more. I want our governors to come together as a family to solve this problem. I am saying this with the little experience I had when I was there.
“As the federal government appears to have overshadowed everybody, the governors should urgently come together. They can even invite those of us who had been there to interact with them to chart the way forward. Yes, there was an attempt in the past that failed, but I don’t believe in failure. There should be more effort to make it work. They should also work with security agencies, and vigilante groups to achieve the desired objective. Even in the economic agenda, I want to see the South East governors work closely more. We want to see them come together and also bring together other groups in the zone”.
In a related development, Obi, in a series of tweets on his X handle, yesterday, noted that the lawmakers and executive’s plan to implement the four national budgets was in flagrant disregard for fiscal responsibility, transparency and accountability.
He stated: “All available evidence has confirmed that the Nigerian government is implementing four national budgets concurrently. This is in blatant disregard for fiscal responsibility, transparency, and accountability. It is also a recipe for chaos, confusion, and catastrophe.
“This intentionally reckless action will lead to frivolous items in the approved budgets competing with essential projects for limited resources, further exacerbating the suffering of the Nigerian people.
“It indicates that the Leaders are out of touch with reality and lack the competence to manage our nation’s finances effectively. Unfortunately, this deliberate act of fiscal recklessness is being undertaken by elected representatives of the people, thereby betraying one of the cardinal pillars of democracy. Leaders are elected to responsibly manage public resources in an organised way.
“I respectfully appeal and in fact, demand that this situation be reversed immediately in preference for a more responsible and transparent approach to budgeting. We must prioritise the needs of the Nigerian people, not the selfish interests of a few.
“This is a call to action for all Leaders to desist from actions that will further drive the country into economic chaos. Neither the National Assembly nor the executive has any excuse to promote or condone such unconscionable behaviour. We seek and insist on a nation governed by leaders who are frugal and responsible in their handling of public resources. This is the only way we can build a great nation”.
