The Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has said he will assent the 2017 budget when the Senate transmits it to the Presidency and its content are satisfactory enough.
This was revealed by the acting President’s spokesperson, Laolu Akande in apparent reaction to some newspaper reports quoting Minister of Information and Culture that the government was not sure of who to sign the budget.
“It’s absolute rubbish,” said Mr. Mohammed, dismissing the report on Wednesday.
The minister’s aide later distributed a statement, further denying the report.
The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to a story in a section of the media quoting the Honourable Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, as saying ”we don’t know who will sign the 2017 budget”.
“This quote is a malicious misrepresentation of what transpired at the post-Federal Executive Council Meeting press briefing on Wednesday, 17 May 2017.
“When the minister was asked a question relating to the signing of the
2017 budget, his response was: ”When it is transmitted to the Presidency, the issue will be addressed.”
“Anything beyond that response amounts to deliberate mischief and should be ignored.”
TheNewsGuru.com reports that there has been apprehension in the country over whom to sign the 2017 Appropriation Bill especially with the President’s recent medical trip to London.
However, Osinbajo’s spokesperson, Akande, stressed that his principal would sign the budget into law in due course.
“Just so we are clear: when the time comes, everything is set, and he is satisfied, Ag. President Yemi Osinbajo will assent to the 2017 Budget,” tweeted Akande.
TheNewsGuru.com that the National Assembly had last week passed the budget, increasing the total sum by N143 billion compared to what was sent by President Muhammadu Buhari.
TheNewsGuru.com reports that the lawmakers are, however, yet to transmit the budget to the presidency.