INEC budget aborts passage of 2022 budget ― Senate

The anticipated passage of the 2022 Budget this week suffered a setback on Wednesday. The Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Jibrin Barau, dropped the hint while speaking with newsmen shortly after his Committee closed-door meeting with certain National Commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission, ( INEC).

Checks revealed that after Monday public hearing on the 2022 Finance Bill, the document was expected to be passed along with the 2022 budget, on Thursday.

Investigation revealed that the National Chairman of the INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who was expected to lead his National Commissioners to the National Assembly and give details of the electoral body budget for next year was absent at Wednesday session as he was outside the country on a national assignment.

Professor Yakubu was represented by Alhaji Zuru Abdulraheem Abdul who told the Senate Committee that only his boss could give exhaustive details on the Commission budget.

He said: “Mr Chairman and members of this distinguished committee, we have listened to you and appreciate the concern on funding the 2023 general elections as regards the need to capture some of the projected expenses in the 2022 budget.

“But such financial details can only be given by our Chairman who is presently abroad and billed to return on Sunday or Monday morning.

“So in the light of this, financial details requested for shall be made available on Monday next week.”

Speaking with newsmen after the INEC team took their exit, Senator Barau said it was no longer possible for Senate to pass the Budget this week.

He noted that the Senate Committee would have to wait till next week for the return of Professor Yakubu to the country for the Parliament to adequately capture INEC expenditures for next year ahead of passage of the Budget .

Senator Barau said: “You have listened to representative of the INEC Chairman. With his explanation, there is no way we can pass the Budget again, this week. INEC input is very vital, the same with the National Population Commission.

“We can’t proceed and pass the Budget in the absence of contributions from INEC and the NPC.”

The Senate Committee later met with the senior officials of the NPC.

Speaking with newsmen after his team interaction with the Senate Committee, Chairman, NPC, Alhaji Nasir Isa Kwarra disclosed that the agency would need N400billion to conduct the national census.

Further checks revealed that at the end of Wednesday plenary, President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan adjourned sitting to next Tuesday. The development is contrary to earlier announcement by Senator Lawan that the 2022 Budget would be presented and passed between December 14 and 15,2021 before the lawmakers proceed on Christmas break.

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INEC budget aborts passage of 2022 budget ― Senate