10 reasons why budget padding will never stop

When, two weeks ago, Abdulmumin Jibrin suddenly spilled the ‘ever-hidden’ norm of annual budget padding by those elected for the task of screening and passing the proposal into what becomes an appropriation law, many Nigerians saw it as just one of those scandals that would come and go.

While some described it as the ranting of a drowning Jibrin, who was reportedly relieved of his position as chairman of the appropriation committee of the House, others factored in external forces with analysis that Speaker Yakubu Dogara had run the House peacefully since after inauguration in 2015.

But as days went by since then, more pictures of how the budget was padded were exposed thus prompting calls for Dogara to resign even though the embattled speaker has maintained his innocence.

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With more and more legislators coming out to confirm that budgets are always padded by a caucus made of principal officers and top members of the National Assembly, it is becoming clear that padding may never seize no matter how President Muhammadu Buhari tries to santiise the system.

10 reasons for this conclusion are listed here:

1. Because it’s a Nigerian problem

Nigeria is ‘fantastically corrupt’ as United Kingdom’s former Prime Minister David Cameron said months ago. Many Nigerians rejected this claim and demanded that should Cameron apologise for making the statement. However, it has been shown by various indices that Nigeria has hardly left the corruption ladder. High profile corruption is found in government quarters especially by elected officials now in connivance with civil servants.

In Nigeria, holding a political office is an opportunity to share from the ‘national cake’. While in many countries, public offices are seen as service to the people and an opportunity to make a mark, here in Nigeria, the average politician organizes a thanksgiving service or a party once he gains an office. What follows is the zeal to make as much money he can. Members of the National Assembly are not left out of this mark.

2. Inflating of expenditure is seen normal for budgetary planning in civil service

There are two ways an average Nigerian budget is padded. The first is by civil servants while the other is by those who should pass it into law. It has been revealed, with the ill-fated 2016 budget, that before the proposal gets to the National Assembly, civil servants doctor items as much as they like. This is to make funds available to them when the projects are finally approved by the federal government while the budget is being implemented. Apart from this, there is this belief that the various committees could slash some of the amount earmarked for projects. In anticipation, the budget figure is padded so that even after some slashing, something would be available for those in charge.

The other way a budget is padded, according to Hon Lawal Gumau of the House of Representatives, is for a few to infuse some line items into the already passed bill just before the president’s assent. This was what Jibrin just exposed.

3. It is a means of creating job for the boys

During electioneering campaigns, it is normal to have all candidates promise job creation irrespective of the position they seek election into. There are even arguments that the government does not provide jobs, but only create the ripe environment, but because of gullibility, these politicians take advantage. After election therefore, there is often the need to fulfill such promise, especially for their loyalists. This need must be met with funds which must come from extra sources.

4. Excess money in the budget are recycled by politicians

One of the best ways to steal public funds is to pad the budget. Politics, like every other business venture, comes with risks and uncertainties. Thus, an average politician wants to enjoy the best things of life as long as his power lasts. He is however hindered on this because his salary and allowance could be streamlined for other purposes. Therefore, the need to look for extra-legal sources wells up.

READ ALSO: ICPC chairman receives petition against Yakubu Dogara

5. Excess budget padding ensures money is available during political campaigns

Elections in Nigeria are generally very expensive. The electorate will not see the need to contribute to any political parties because of the belief that the politicians would not look back after getting elected. The political parties also do not help matters too. Amounts for purchase of party nomination forms are always at cut-throat prices. Many of the politicians thus secure loans which they hope to repay while in office. With their salaries being unable to meet the loans and cater for their extravagant lifestyles, they refocus their attention to other sources of funds including the budget.

6. Enough money to fight political opponents

Of course, fighting a political opponent involves heavy spending and budgetary allocation. And every politician has at least, one political opponent who is also plotting to outdo him. To be ahead, money must continue to flow. And it could come from padded budgets.

7. Excess funds from a padded budget provides enough for stolen money

In a country where an average politician wants to find himself among billionaires listed by Forbes, it is just ‘necessary’ to get money from anywhere it comes as long as he is not caught.

8. The get-rich quick syndrome of Nigerians

Yes! An average Nigerian wants to get rich as quickly as possible. Life is short, they believe. Therefore, whatever one can do to make it is worthy. Again, in the country, the rich are considered the powerful and are worshipped. So getting funds from extra-sources like a padded budget can just help this mission to be rich.

9. Keeping political structure

For you to be powerful and retain relevance as a politician, you must have a political structure made of loyal Nigerians who are ready to do anything for your success. To keep such a political structure, no matter how small, is not easy without funds. Almost every politician in Nigeria has a structure that must be kept.

READ ALSO: Budget padding: Abdulmumin Jibrin arrives ICPC office

10. The need to keep the citizens further impoverished and dependent

There is this innate character of every politician to continue to rise above their immediate followers and the country’s citizens. This will make these citizens always dependent on the crumbs that come from the politicians. Today, there is hardly any sector of the country that is not gasping or urgently in need of intervention with the argument that funds that should have gone to such sectors are cornered through hiked project and contract funds.

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