Nigeria: Buhari's Aide, Ita Enang, Reacts to "Doctored" Budget Allegation

The Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on National Assembly (Senate), Ita Enang, says he will not respond to an allegation by the Senate that he doctored the 2016 budget presented by President Muhammadu Buhari in December.

He described the matter as "sensitive".

Lawmakers had told PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday that the budget documents was missing, prompting the senate to set up a committee to investigate the matter.

On Thursday, after a closed-door session, the Senate president, Bukola Saraki, said the copy of the 2016 budget made available to the Senate was different from the original copy presented by Mr. Buhari in December last year.

"What he distributed is different from what was presented by Mr. President and we have resolved not to address any version until we receive the version presented by Mr. President," Mr. Saraki stated, referring to Mr. Enang.

The claim was later reinforced by the Senate spokesperson, Aliyu Sabi, after the plenary. He said the Senate would obtain a soft copy of the original document, produce it in hard copies and consider next week.

Neither Mr. Saraki nor Mr. Aliyu gave details of the discrepancies.

But speaking with PREMIUM TIMES, Mr. Enang, who is a former senator, said he would not comment on the development. He said the matter was between "two of my bosses", in reference to the presidency and the National Assembly.

"I do not want to comment on the matter at the moment," Mr. Enang said. "It is a very sensitive matter involving two of my bosses - the National Assembly and Presidency. I don't want to talk about them."

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