By Abdullahi Alhassan Kaduna
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has expressed deep concerns over President Bola Tinubu's proposal to increase the 2025 budget from ₦49.7 trillion to ₦54.2 trillion. In a statement, CISLAC described the move as unprecedented and potentially unconstitutional. According to Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), Executive Director of CISLAC, the organization is worried that the proposal bypasses Section 81(4) of the 1999 Constitution, which requires a supplementary estimate to be presented to the National Assembly for approval.
"The cited additional revenues were not sudden; failing to account for them in the initial budget highlights poor fiscal foresight," CISLAC said in the statement. The organization also criticized the manner in which the budget increment was introduced, stating that it undermines the sanctity of the budgetary process and could set a dangerous precedent for future fiscal governance.
CISLAC warned that the proposed budget increase comes amid rising national debt and ballooning debt servicing costs, and recommended leveraging internally generated revenue to fund smaller, realistic projects. The organization called on the National Assembly to exercise its authority rigorously in scrutinizing budgetary adjustments and ensuring that the principles of transparency, accountability, and democratic governance are upheld.
"We urge the executive to prioritize transparency, respect constitutional provisions, and engage in meaningful consultations before making major fiscal decisions," CISLAC said. The organization remains committed to advocating for transparent, accountable, and participatory governance in Nigeria.
Furthermore, CISLAC noted that the absence of prior consultation with the leadership of the National Assembly before making such a substantial adjustment is concerning. This unilateral decision-making weakens the constitutional principle of checks and balances and sidelines the legislature's role in fiscal oversight.
Additionally, CISLAC pointed out that this pattern of executive isolation is not new, citing the administration's delay in ministerial nominations, which exceeded the constitutional timeline. Such actions, the organization asserts, erode democratic principles and hinder effective governance.
CISLAC also raised serious concerns over allocations made to non-existent or defunct government agencies, emphasizing that such allocations waste public funds and compromise the integrity of the budget process. The organization calls for rigorous scrutiny of all budgetary provisions to ensure they align with the country's current priorities and governance structures.
"The National Assembly holds a constitutional mandate to oversee and approve federal expenditures. CISLAC urges lawmakers to exercise their authority rigorously in this matter," the statement reads. It also calls on the executive to prioritize transparency, respect constitutional provisions, and engage in meaningful consultations before making major fiscal decisions.
"While CISLAC supports initiatives aimed at national development and economic growth, these efforts must be pursued within the framework of constitutional legality, fiscal responsibility, and inclusive governance," the statement continues. Given the unprecedented nature of running two concurrent budgets, CISLAC strongly urges the executive to reconsider this approach and adhere strictly to constitutional procedures.
The organization calls on the National Assembly to assert its responsibility in scrutinizing budgetary adjustments, ensuring that the principles of transparency, accountability, and democratic governance are upheld. CISLAC remains steadfast in its commitment to advocating for transparent, accountable, and participatory governance in Nigeria.
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