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Social commentator Mahdi Shehu has criticized how budgets are prepared and used in Nigeria, saying they benefit only a few people rather than the general public.
In a recent interview on AIT, he revealed that Nigerian budget is conceived not for the welfare of the citizens, but for the welfare of a few.
He described Nigerian budgets as an annual ritual where figures are repeated, but without real impact on the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
He questioned, “Why should the state government spend 10 years every year with a provision to buy tractors? Why do you budget for fertilizer and pilgrimage for many years without change?”
According to him, budgets should be about solving real problems in society and involve direct consultation with the people.
“Is there anyone who can tell me when a governor or senator went down to the lowest of the society, consulted them before producing a budget? None!”
Shehu also highlighted the scale of corruption in the country, referring to the controversial figure of $210 trillion allegedly missing from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL). “Please stop talking about the budget in Nigeria. We have an annual ritual with figures that fizzle away like spirits, You see them today, tomorrow they disappear,” he said.
He urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) chairman to act decisively.
“He has a mandate. He must implement it. Please, he should stop tantalizing us and act now.”
Mahdi Shehu concluded by warning that corruption is destroying Nigeria and called for urgent action to hold to account those responsible.
