Former Governor of Kaduna state and one time FCT Minister, Mallam Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai has narrated the opinion of his classmate concerning the 2025 proposed budget.
According to the former minister’s X handle, his school mate, Waziri Adio, from Kennedy School has said there are curious items embedded in the proposed budget one of which is the N146.14b to Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) for the construction of Lagos Green Line Metro Rail Phase 1.
Questioning inclusion of the project in the federal budget, Waziri said, “The proposed allocation for the metro-line within a state is 65% of the capital budget and 57% of the entire budget of the Ministry of Transport.
“If this is counterpart funding from a recapitalised MOFI, why is the money coming from the budget of a federal ministry?
“Why can’t MOFI raise its counterpart funding from the market?
“How was the decision arrived at that this is a project to invest federal money into and will such facility be available to other states outside Lagos?”
Responding to the allegation, Special Assistant of new media to President Ahmed Bola Tinubu said the former Kaduna governor is using the same stale propaganda that he and his agents on social media used to turn Nigerians against President Jonathan.
He said, “Why does he only do this when we have a Southern President? He succeeded in removing former President Jonathan. Did your life improve after Jonathan was defeated?
Mr Reno said the lies Mallam Rufai is peddling about President Tinubu’s Yorubanisation of the government are coordinated. “It is not coincidental that they are coming at the same time as the lies from the Nigerien junta leader, Abdourahamane Tchiani.
“What does el-Rufai gain by turning the North against the Tinubu government?
According to Reno, the so-called Yorubanisation or Yorubacentricity of government under President Bola Tinubu is a myth. “If anyone chooses to push this discredited theory, Nigerians should not just accept broad accusations without data and statistics.
“Ask that person to provide statistics. If they cite a sector, they should give Nigerians a regional breakdown of everybody in that sector rather than making broad statements to paint a manipulative narrative that is neither creative nor supportive of our national growth.
“People like El-Rufai should think twice before destabilising Nigeria. If they destroy the bond between the North and the Southwest, they will also put the glue that holds Nigeria together in disarray,” he called.
