The President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari has revealed that he looks forward to the peaceful conduct of this year’s general elections, and retirement since he has now satisfied the constitutionally required two terms in office.
The president made this known at the State House, Abuja on Sunday when he hosted the Special Envoy of President Evariste Ndayishimiye of the Republic of Burundi, who came with a message, in the course of the week.
Buhari asserted that Nigeria would support Burundi in diverse ways as necessary, saying this would be in the spirit of African solidarity and brotherliness.
The Minister of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning of Burundi, Mr. Audace Niyonzima, said his president sent goodwill for the New Year to Nigerians and President Buhari.
He also wished the country well in the general elections scheduled for February and March this year.
‘We pray that the polls would be peaceful and successful so that Nigeria would maintain her reputation as a bastion of peace and stability,‘ the Special Envoy said.
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On the request for assistance in the area of energy provision, particularly fuel, by the Burundi leader, President Buhari said he knew what it felt like for a country to suffer from an energy shortage.
He, therefore, promised that he would get the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. to look into the request.
President Buhari had earlier on Tuesday in Abuja signed the 2023 Budget of N21.83 trillion and the 2022 Supplementary Appropriation Bill into law.
Africa Today News, New York reports that the 2023 budget is the last to be prepared by the present administration as it winds up.
While signing the budget, the president said the aggregate expenditures of N21.83 trillion were increased by N1.32 trillion over the initial proposal of N20.51 trillion expenditures by the executive.
On the supplementary appropriation bill, the president said the 2022 Supplementary Appropriation Act would enable the administration to respond to the havoc caused by the recent nationwide floods in the infrastructure and agriculture sectors.
As another democratically elected administration is about to take office, Buhari said that his choice to sign the 2023 Appropriations Bill into law in its final form allowed for its immediate implementation.
However, he gave the Finance, Budget, and National Planning Minister instructions to work with the legislature to review some of the budget proposal adjustments.
In order to provide MDAs enough time to start implementing their capital projects, the president authorised the Ministry of Finance, Budget, and National Planning to work on the early release of the 2023 capital votes.
According to him, this is to support efforts to deliver key projects and public services as well as improve the living conditions of Nigerians.
On the Finance Bill 2022, the president expressed regret that its review as passed by the National Assembly was yet to be finalised.