Bauchi Opposition Calls For The Rejection, Repeal Of 2025 Budget

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Citing alleged cases of misallocation of public funds,  the opposition Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, in Bauchi State, has called for the repeal of the State’s 2025 appropriation law, as passed and assented to by the House of Assembly and the Governor.

The Source reports that the State Governor, Bala Muhammed, had,  on Thursday November 20, 2024, presented  to the Bauchi State House of Assembly,  a N465 billion budget proposal.

However, the State’s  Lawmakers approved N467 billion estimate ,which was subsequently signed into law  by Governor Muhammad on December 27 ,2024.

But in a statement on Monday, January 6, 2025, by its Secretary, Wada Abdullahi , the Bauchi State Chapter of the PRP, urged the State Legislators to abrogate the appropriation law .

According to the party, not a few Bauchi  residents and citizens are seriously embarrassed and dissatisfied with some identified misallocation of funds in the approved budgetary estimate.

It described as outrageous and totally absurd, the allocation of over N39 million for the procurement of just two motorcycles .

The PRP ,particularly, referenced the allocation of N4.2 million budgeted for the purchase of two sets of computers, N 2.45 million for two printers and about N7 million for three photocopying machines .

Before its latest public outing, the party ,as well as other concerned citizens had last week queried the rationale behind the approval of over N3 billion for the Governor’s traveling expenses for the year .

However ,it noted that it is not all that surprised as the development appears to be in sync with the reckless spending, corruption, embezzlement and greed that have so far characterized the present Peoples Democratic Party, PDP-led administration in the state .

“The Peoples Redemption Party PRP, Bauchi State Chapter, strongly, condemns the 2025 budget signed into law by the Bauchi State Government ,led by the Peoples Democratic Party PDP .

“The budget is a direct reflection of the party’s governance style characterized by reckless spending, corruption ,embezzlement and greed

“It is appalling to see that Bauchi State Government is prepared to spend an outrageous N39.6 on just two motorcycles .

“This absurd allocation of funds ,no doubt inflated well beyond market value ,raises serious questions about the integrity of budgetary processes in our state .

“Further ,compounding this gross misallocation ,the budget also includes N 4.2 million for two desktop computers ,N2.450,000 for two printers and an astonishing N7 million for mere three photocopiers .

“This wasteful expenditure, totaling a staggering N 53.25 million for items that can be procured for a fraction of this cost is not just a misjudgment, it is an egregious example of the corruption and greed that has become synonymous with the PDP-led administration in Bauchi state

“Such financial imprudence is a direct reflection of how the Government is being run- prioritizing personal gain over the pressing needs of the populace

“This. budget is a slap on the face of the good people of Bauchi state ,who are struggling to make ends meet .It is a clear indication that the PDP-led Government is more interested in lining the pockets of its cronies than in providing basic amenities and services to the people .

“We are concerned that either the State House of Assembly did not diligently scrutinize the budget and or that there may be a collusion among certain individuals to misappropriate resources meant for the people of Bauchi state”, part of the statement reads .

To this end ,the party has insisted that the only way the state Lawmakers could exonerate themselves from the budgetary heist is for them to immediately put machineries in motion for its abrogation.

The party called for a new appropriation bill that is genuinely transparent, just, and grounded in realistic financial planning.

This is even as the party urged the citizens to collectively rise up against any attempts to fleece the Treasury of the state by unscrupulous political actors.