The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has urged President Bola Tinubu to adhere to constitutional procedures in his proposed increase of the 2025 budget from N49.7 trillion to N54.2 trillion.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), CISLAC expressed concerns over the legality of the proposed budget adjustment, warning that it could set a dangerous precedent if not handled according to due process.
“The manner in which this budget increment was introduced is highly concerning,” Rafsanjani stated.
“Instead of presenting a supplementary appropriation bill as required by law, the executive merely informed the National Assembly through a letter.”
Citing Section 81(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), CISLAC stressed that any additional expenditure beyond the amount approved in the Appropriation Act must be formally presented to the National Assembly as a supplementary estimate.
“The constitution is clear on this matter. Any increase in the budget must follow the appropriate legislative process. By bypassing this requirement, the administration risks undermining the sanctity of the budgetary process.”
CISLAC warned that failure to adhere to due process could weaken fiscal governance and erode public trust in the government’s financial management.