YPP PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRANT SEEKS BUDGET IMPLEMENTATION PROBE

A presidential aspirant of the Young Progressives Party, Julius Filani, has called on the National Assembly to investigate the implementation of the 2025 and 2026 budgets, citing concerns over alleged breaches of the Appropriation Act and reported lapses in public finance management.

Filani, in a statement issued in Abuja , urged lawmakers to invoke their constitutional oversight powers to scrutinise the execution of the budgets and ensure that public funds were utilised in accordance with the law.

The YPP chieftain said his call followed comments by the Senate Chief Whip, Tahir Monguno, on challenges associated with the implementation of the 2025 budget during an engagement between the Senate and members of the executive economic team.

He said, “The concerns surrounding the implementation of the 2025 and 2026 budgets require urgent attention.

“The National Assembly must ensure that approved budgets are implemented in accordance with the law and that public funds are properly accounted for.”

Filani also urged the legislature to undertake what he described as a comprehensive investigation into the budget implementation process.

“The National Assembly must step up and defend the Nigerian Constitution through a full-scale investigation into the issues surrounding budget implementation,” he added.

The presidential hopeful expressed concern over what he described as the rollover of about 70 per cent of the 2025 spending plan into the 2026 fiscal year.

According to him, “The 70 per cent rollover of the 2025 spending plan into the 2026 fiscal cycle raises serious questions about the level of budget implementation and the need for greater accountability.”

He also called for a review of releases to security agencies, particularly capital expenditure, amid the country’s security challenges, urging lawmakers to determine whether approved allocations were fully disbursed and utilised.

Filani further questioned the management of federation revenues, calling for greater transparency in the administration of public funds.

He said, “I want to join Senator Monguno in asking for greater clarity on the management of federation revenues and the circumstances surrounding the figures being reported.”

The YPP aspirant warned that weak budget implementation and poor fiscal transparency could undermine investor confidence and deepen economic uncertainty.

He urged the National Assembly to rely on verified records and constitutional provisions in carrying out any investigation while calling on Nigerians to demand greater fiscal accountability ahead of the 2027 general elections.