Senator Reveals N500 Million Allegedly Received by ‘Senior’ Senators from 2024 Budget
Senator Agom Jarigbe, representing Cross River North Senatorial District, has stirred controversy by alleging that some ‘senior’ senators received N500 million each from the 2024 budget. The revelation came amid accusations of budget padding made by Senator Abdul Ningi, representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District, who claimed that the Senate leadership inflated the budget by N3.7 trillion.
Ningi’s allegations, made in a recent interview with BBC Hausa, suggested that the National Assembly passed a budget of N25 trillion for the 2024 fiscal year, contrasting with the N28.7 trillion reportedly being implemented by the federal government. These claims have led to public outrage, with many Nigerians criticizing Senate President Godswill Akpabio and questioning the integrity of the Senate.
During a rowdy session in the Senate, Senator Jarigbe expressed his disappointment with the handling of the budget padding allegations, calling for clarity on the figures presented. He pointed out that the figures provided by the Chairman of Appropriation did not support the claim of padding, urging Senator Ningi to clarify his statements.
Senator Jarigbe’s revelation about the alleged N500 million payouts to some senators further fueled tensions in the Senate, leading to another chaotic session. His statement raised questions about the transparency and accountability of budget allocations within the Senate, prompting calls for an investigation into the matter.
In response to the controversy, Senator Akpabio criticized Ningi for damaging the Senate’s integrity with his allegations. He expressed concern that the Senate was being ridiculed in the eyes of the public due to the budget padding claims. As a result, Senator Ningi was suspended for three months over the allegations.
The Senate’s handling of the budget padding allegations has revealed deep divisions within the upper legislative chamber, with some senators disowning Ningi’s claims and calling for a thorough investigation. The controversy has underscored the need for greater transparency and accountability in the budgetary process to ensure public trust in the Senate’s actions.
Despite the suspension of Senator Ningi, the fallout from the budget padding allegations continues to reverberate within the Senate, highlighting the challenges faced by Nigeria’s legislative body in upholding its integrity and credibility. The need for reform and oversight in the budgetary process has become more apparent, as the Senate seeks to regain public confidence and address the underlying issues raised by the controversy.
Sahara Reporters
