A former Minister of Education, Mrs. Obiageli Ezekwesili, has described the newly-signed 2023 National budget as ‘hopeless’.
Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari recently signed the 2023 Budget of N21.83 trillion along with the 2022 Supplementary Appropriation Bill into law.
President Buhari signed the 2023 transition budget, on Tuesday morning, at the Council Chambers of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, in Abuja, in the presence of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Ahmad Lawan, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, and other members of the Federal Executive Council.
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Speaking at the event, the President had said his regime would speed up critical infrastructure projects nationwide as it raced toward the finish line on May 29, 2023.
He noted that the budget was N21.83 trillion aggregate expenditure, an increase N1.32 trillion over the initial executive proposal of N20.51 trillion. It is the eighth and final budget of Buhari’s regime.
But reacting to the budget, on Wednesday, via her Twitter page, Mrs. Ezekwesili decried the budget deficit. She urged Nigerians to ensure they got their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to be able to vote in a forthright administration into office in February.
She wrote, “This is the summary of the HOPELESS Budget @MBuhari signed into law yesterday:
“Total Expenditure is N21.83 trillion. Total Revenue N9.73 trillion! The Budget has a deficit larger than revenue by almost N12.00 trillion! Tragic.
“You all better get your PVCs ready because…”