Peter Obi

EFCC should focus on budget padding, undisclosed subsidy payment not Bobrisky – Obi

The presidential candidate of Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, should focus on investigating more important issues like the allegations of budget padding and return of fuel subsidy.

Obi, who spoke on Wednesday when he featured on an Arise TV programme, said arresting Nigerians over abuse of the local currency, Naira should not be the focus of the anti-graft agency.

According to him, the arrest of the controversial cross-dresser and social media celebrity Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky and others for abusing naira notes “are minor issues”.

He said, “If it is not budget padding today, it would be undisclosed subsidy payment, inflated contracts, and all sorts of things.

“These are issues I want our agencies like EFCC to start dealing with but not arresting Bobrisky and Cubana Chief Priest. These are minor issues.

“Our agencies should face budget padding squarely not arresting Bobrisky because he dressed like a woman and spent N500 notes”.

Recall that the lawmaker representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District, Mr Abdul Ningi had in an interview in March, alleged discrepancies in the 2024 budget.

The senator claimed that the National Assembly approved N25tn while the President signed N28.7tn.

Similarly, there are claims that President Bola Tinubu has returned part of fuel subsidy that was abolished on May 29 2023.

The presidency has, however, denied the claim, insisting that fuel subsidy is gone.