By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) on Wednesday said the consequences of the 2025 budget proposal presented to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu will be “far-reaching and devastating.”

According to the CUPP, the budget proposal is a stark reminder of the country’s persistent fiscal woes.

President Tinubu Tuesday presented a national budget of N47.

He said the budget which was put together based on economic realities and would trigger the prosperity of Nigerians in 2025 if implemented to the latter, adding that it would restore and consolidate key polices of government.

Tinubu said Nigerians have shown resilience in 2024 economic challenges, hence, he believed that the 2025 budget would leverage that so that the fabric of the nation can be built further in 2025.

However, in a statement signed by High Chief Peter Ameh, the Publicity Secretary of CUPP, said a cursory examination of the line items reveals a familiar pattern which includes, debt servicing continues to take a substantial chunk of the budget, while allocations for critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure remain woefully inadequate.

“This phenomenon is not new; rather, it is a recurring tale that has plagued Nigeria’s budgeting process for years,” the statement added.

“The implications of this trend are far-reaching and devastating. As debt servicing continues to drain the country’s resources, poverty levels have skyrocketed, and economic growth has stagnated.

“The human cost of this mismanagement is evident in the lack of access to basic necessities such as healthcare, education, and clean water.

“The failure to address these pressing needs has led to widespread disillusionment and frustration among Nigerians.

“The President’s budget proposal for 2025 presents an opportunity for a paradigm shift. By prioritizing investments in critical sectors, the government can create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and reduce poverty. However, this requires a fundamental transformation of the budgeting process, one that prioritizes transparency, accountability, and stakeholder engagement.

“To break the cycle of annual rituals, the government must adopt a more proactive and responsive approach to budgeting. This includes involving civil society, the private sector, and citizens in the budgeting process to ensure that allocations reflect the country’s pressing needs.

“Performance-based budgeting, where funds are allocated based on performance indicators and project outcomes, can also help to ensure that resources are utilized efficiently.

“Furthermore, the government must address the issue of debt servicing, which continues to drain the country’s resources. Debt restructuring, revenue enhancement, and budget realignment are potential strategies that can help to alleviate this burden.

“The 2025 budget proposal presents a critical juncture for Nigeria. Will the government continue down the path of debt servicing and neglect, or will it seize the opportunity to transform the budgeting process and prioritize the needs of its citizens?

“The choice is clear, and the consequences of inaction will be dire. It is time for a new approach, one that prioritizes transparency, accountability, and the well-being of all Nigerians.”

Edo Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has faulted the suspension of chairmen in the 18 local governments (LG) of Edo by the House of Assembly.

A statement by Dr Anthony Aziegbemi, the state PDP Chairman on Tuesday in Benin, described the action as unconstitutional, null, and void.

He noted that the suspension disregarded the recent ruling of the Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa.

Aziegbemi claimed that the suspension was a blatant violation of the Supreme Court’s decision, which affirmed the autonomy and independence of local governments, as guaranteed under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“How can a governor direct the State Assembly to suspend democratically elected chairmen of the 18 local councils for insubordination when these officials enjoy autonomy and independence as enshrined in the Constitution,” he said.

He noted that local council chairmen were not subordinates of the governor, the State Assembly, or any other arm of government.

He expressed concern over the complete disregard for the Constitution and the judiciary’s rulings.

“We are also aware that the Chairmen and their vice chairmen were not given the opportunity to defend themselves.

” They were suspended unheard, based on watery, trumped-up charges,” Aziegbemi said.

He stressed that such actions were not only illegal but also a direct assault on democracy and the rule of law.

“The Constitution remains supreme, and any attempt to undermine it must be resisted,” he added.

Aziegbemi said that the Speaker and the entire Edo House of Assembly had clearly exceeded their constitutional mandates by carrying out the illegal action.

He urged the Assembly to immediately reverse its decision in respect for the rule of law and the principles of democratic governance.

He emphasized that adherence to the Constitution was non-negotiable.

“We therefore direct the council chairmen and their vice chairmen to report to their councils tomorrow and carry on with their normal duties,” Aziegbemi said.

He also called on the Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the Federation to intervene, stating that the state government actions constituted a breach of the Constitution and a threat to security.(NAN)

By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

Ahead of the February 2025 local government election in Osun State, over 500 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday defected to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ifedayo local government area.

The defectors were received into the PDP by the State Chairman, Sunday Bisi who noted that developments in the state have convinced a lot of APC members to leave the party for the PDP, insisting that many are still coming before the year’s end.

The state chairman said the forthcoming local government elections slated for February 2025 will end APC’s existence in Osun.

Assuring the mammoth crowd, Bisi appealed to all and sundry to continue supporting the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke.

He noted that what the current administration has done in the last two years surpasses that of the APC in the state.

Welcoming the new defectors, he assured them that in the PDP, there is nothing like discrimination.

“I want to assure those who joined our party today, in PDP, we don’t discriminate. Let’s join hands with those you met to move the party forward. There are lots of goodies on ground for all of us.

“Let me assure you all that come February 2025, PDP will coast to victory at the polls. Let us mobilise members and non-members for that election. We want to use the election to tell APC that Osun is not like Edo or Ondo. No rigging templates will work here. We are fully prepared.

Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Goke Folayan said part of what informed their decision to join the PDP is that Governor Adeleke has proven his critics wrong.

He said, “nobody could ever imagine that the Governor would perform and today, he is delivering on his promises to the people, making life more bearable for the people.”

He said, “It is sad that my former party, APC couldn’t remember Ifedayo local government for the whole twelve years they spent. They keep deceiving our people, making vague promises. 

“In just two years, the abandoned Ora-Igbomina water scheme is being reconstructed by Governor Adeleke.

“Our coming to the PDP is to join hands together with those we met to move our local government forward. By the grace of God, Kayode Atolagbe and all his councillors will win. This will send the remnant of APC members in Ifedayo into complete oblivion.”

The high point of the event was the handing over of PDP flags by the state chairman to the Chairmanship candidate, the vice chairmanship and other councilorship candidates.