2019 ELECTION BUDGET: Senate committee approves Buhari’s N242bn virement request

The Senate Committee on Appropriation has approved President Muhammadu Buhari’s request for the virement of N242bn under the 2018 Appropriation Act to conduct the 2019 general elections.

Chairman of the committee, Senator Danjuma Goje, stated this at the committee meeting on Wednesday.

Goje said the decision would be laid before the full house for consideration at plenary on Thursday.

He said the decision to approve the president’s request was informed by the urgent need for funds by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to begin preparations for the elections.

Earlier at plenary, Senate President Bukola Saraki had read out the president’s request which came in a letter dated September 19, 2018.

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In it, Buhari asked the lawmakers to consider including the total N242bn as part of the virements of the 2018 Appropriation Act, the money being amount requested by INEC and security agencies to conduct the 2019 general elections.

In a July 11 request to the legislature, the president had asked that N164bn out of the N242bn be vired in the 2018 budget, and the balance of N78bn included in the 2019 budget.

The lawmakers had indicated their willingness to consider the total amount for virement under the 2018 Appropriation Act, if formally requested by the president.

President Buhari said, “In the light of the current realities, and in order to ensure that the 2019 general elections are not affected by the delays in the passage into law of the 2019 budget, I accept this kind suggestion.

“I look forward to your urgent consideration of this request to ensure that the 2019 general elections are properly conducted”.

 

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