Minority Caucus Alleges Plot to Use 2022-2024 MTEF to Rig 2023 Election

The Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives has accused the federal government of plotting to rig the 2023 general election, following the transmission of the 2022-2024 Medium Time Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) to the House by President Muhamadu Buhari.

Buhari had in the letter read by the House Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, at plenary yesterday, while commending the lawmakers for restoring the January-December budget cycle, explained that the 2022 budget would be prepared using the approved MTEF of the National Assembly.

Reacting to the letter, the Minority Leader of the House, Ndudi Elumelu, wondered why the government is not using the MTEF that’s currently in running, which ends in 2023.

He accused the Minister of Finance of indirectly helping the All Progressives Congress (APC) to rig elections by going beyond 2023.

According to Elumelu, “If you recall in the meeting we had during the interface with finance minister, I objected to the fact that the MTEF-FSP was put to read 2021-2024. And I said I was more particular that it appears that the minister is indirectly helping APC to rig elections by going beyond 2023. You were there and she said it’s because it’s four years.”

Responding, the Chairman, House Committee on Finance, Hon. James Faleke, said parameters were subject to change, adding that the government is acting within the confines of the Fiscal Responsibility Act.

He said: “This has nothing to do with whether the government wants to rig 2023 election or not. I think it’s important we clear it. The government is law-abiding and it’s abiding by the provisions of Fiscal Responsibility Act.”