Focus on budget padding, not Bobrisky – Peter Obi cautions EFCC

The presidential candidate of Labour Party in 2023, Peter Obi, has cautioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) asking them to focus on budget padding.

He urged the anti-graft agency to also be prompt in investigating critical issues such as alleged fuel subsidy payments.

Obi, in an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday, said the arrest of Bobrisky and others celebrities “are minor issues.”

Recall that the EFCC arrested the controversial cross-dresser and social media celebrity Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky and others for abusing naira notes.

According to him, arresting Nigerians over abuse of the local currency, Naira should not be the focus of the anti-graft agency.

Obi 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.

There were also claims that President Bola Tinubu has returned part of fuel subsidy, which was removed on May 29 2023.

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