Budget padding: APC gags Jibrin •Says govt, party not happy with development

THE All Progressives Congress (APC), on Thursday, ordered the former chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Honourable Abdulmumin Jibrin, to stop further comments on the allegation of budget padding levelled against the Speaker, Honourable Yakubu Dogara and three other principal officers, saying that his comments are embarrassing the party and the government.

Other principal officers mentioned by Honourable Jibrin in the allegation were the Deputy Speaker, Honourable Yusuf Lasun; chief whip, Honourable Alhassan Doguwa and the minority leader, Honourable Leo Ogor.

The party, in a letter addressed to the lawmaker by APC deputy national chairman (North), Senator Lawal Shuaibu, noted that “as you are aware, the party and, indeed, the government have not been happy over recent developments in the House of Representatives over the issue of the 2016 budget.”

To this end, the party said “we found it embarrassing to have to deal with another new phenomenon you tagged ‘budget padding’.

“However, I write to thank you for your cooperation in honouring our intervention and your readiness to afford the party the chance to handle the House budget padding crisis.

“Arising from the series of meetings we held with you over the subject matter, the National Working Committee had decided to request you to henceforth avoid issuing public statement on this matter.

“This, however, includes statements through the social media or other means of transmitting an opinion on the matter to the public, as the party is now looking into it towards finding possible solution.”

It will be recalled that the NWC members of the party had, on Tuesday, quizzed Honourable Jibrin for about four hours behind closed doors over the issue, with all parties saying that the matter would be resolved soonest.