“I am not afraid of suspension by the Senate. I stand by what I said” – Ningi

Senator Abdul Ningi, the Chairman of the Northern Senators’ Forum, has reiterated his claim that projects worth N3.7 trillion in the 2024 Appropriation Act cannot be traced. In an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, Senator Ningi alleged that the National Assembly debated and passed a N25 trillion budget, not the N28.7 trillion being implemented by the federal government.

Senator Ningi also accused the Tinubu administration of unfairness in the ongoing implementation of the budget, stating that the forum would raise the issue with Senate President Goodwill Akpabio and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Responding to the allegations, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, issued a statement refuting Senator Ningi’s claims as false. Onanuga emphasized that the budget signed into law by President Tinubu was N28.7 trillion, with an increase of N1.2 trillion from the Executive’s proposal.

However, Senator Ningi maintained his stance, stating to journalists at the Senate that he was prepared for any actions to be taken against him. He clarified that he spoke for himself and not on behalf of the Northern Senator Forum, emphasizing that N3.7 trillion in the budget was not traced to any project.

“I am not afraid of suspension by the Senate. I stand by what I said: N3.7 trillion not traced to any project in the 2024 Budget. I spoke for myself and not on behalf of the Northern Senator Forum. I never said the federal government is operating with two budgets. I only said N25 trillion was traced to projects and N3.7 trillion was not traced to any project,” Senator Ningi stated.

The controversy surrounding the 2024 budget raises questions about transparency and accountability in budget implementation, highlighting the need for thorough scrutiny and oversight by the National Assembly and other relevant bodies.

Daily Trust