The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Solomon Adeola, has defended the practice of lawmakers inserting projects into the national budget, asserting that such insertions are vital for ensuring equitable development across Nigeria.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Speaking during the second annual retreat of the Remo Traditional Council held in Sagamu, Ogun State, the senator representing Ogun West described budget insertions—often controversially referred to as “padding”—as necessary legislative inputs that ensure neglected communities receive federal attention.

“Without these legislative interventions, many parts of Nigeria would remain completely absent from the national budget,” Adeola said. He stressed that such insertions are driven by the real needs of constituents and are crucial for balanced national development.

The senator noted that since the return to democracy in 1999, misconceptions about the legislature’s role in budgeting have persisted. Terms like “budget padding,” “insertions,” and “constituency projects” are often used to unfairly malign lawmakers.

“The national budget is not merely a compilation of figures,” he explained. “It is a comprehensive policy document designed to promote the well-being of Nigerians. Unfortunately, the media and some public commentators have often misrepresented the legislature’s legitimate role in shaping it.”

According to a statement issued by his media aide, Kayode Odunaro, Adeola gave a lecture at the retreat titled “The Role of the Legislature in Shaping a Holistic Budget for Nigeria.” He lamented how lawmakers are frequently portrayed as obstacles in the budgeting process, despite constitutional provisions that empower the National Assembly to oversee public spending.

Referencing Sections 80 to 84 of the 1999 Constitution, Adeola emphasized that no funds can be withdrawn from the national treasury without legislative approval. This power, he said, gives the legislature the responsibility to ensure equitable distribution of resources nationwide.

“Each legislator is mandated to make budgetary recommendations based on the developmental needs of their constituency,” he stated. “When these inputs are accepted, they do not constitute padding—they represent democracy in action.”

Adeola argued that without such interventions, certain regions would never experience a “federal presence” in the form of infrastructure or social amenities.

Clarifying misconceptions about constituency projects, he explained that these initiatives are not executed by lawmakers directly. Instead, the funds are allocated through federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), which handle the procurement and implementation. “No legislator receives a single kobo to execute these projects,” he added.

The senator also pledged his support for constitutional recognition of traditional rulers, citing their essential role in governance, security, and grassroots development.

In response, the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, expressed appreciation for Adeola’s constituency projects, including the provision of solar streetlights. He said the retreat aimed to broaden the perspective of traditional leaders and attract greater development to Remoland.

Oba Ajayi further appealed for the establishment of a federal educational institution in Remoland, stressing that the area should not be sidelined if the proposed Ijebu State is created.