…I was misquoted, I’m ready for suspension — Ningi
In response to recent allegations of budget padding made by Senator Ahmed Abdul Ningi, the Northern Senators Forum (NSF) has issued a firm rebuttal, asserting their disassociation from his claims.
Senator Ningi, who chairs the forum, came under scrutiny after his remarks on the BBC Hausa Service, alleging budget padding within the 2024 budget. However, the NSF swiftly moved to clarify that Senator Ningi’s statements were not endorsed by the forum and were merely his personal opinions.
The NSF emphasized that Senator Ningi had no mandate to address the press on this matter and stressed that his views did not reflect the stance of the Northern Senators. They underscored that the budget presented to the National Assembly by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu adhered to constitutional requirements and underwent thorough deliberation and approval by both chambers.
Contrary to Senator Ningi’s claims of a N25 trillion budget, the NSF clarified that the approved budget stood at N28.7 trillion, with adjustments made to allocate funds for critical projects and services. The forum adamantly denied any involvement in budget padding during the legislative process.
In a show of solidarity with President Tinubu, the NSF highlighted the importance of cross-ethnic collaboration to tackle Nigeria’s challenges. They pledged to collaborate with their counterparts from the Southern region to advance the nation’s prosperity and development.
The NSF condemned Senator Ningi’s actions as “grossly unparliamentary” and reiterated their unwavering commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at propelling the country forward for the benefit of all citizens.
Meanwhile, Senator Abdul Ningi, who represents Bauchi Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, has made a U-turn regarding some claims he made regarding the 2024 Appropriation Act.
In an interview with the press on Monday, Ningi said he is ready to carry his cross, even if it means suspension from the Senate.
Ningi clarified that he never suggested that President Tinubu is implementing two budgets or that he was biased against the North, saying he stands by his utterance as a Senator and not the Chairman of the Northern Senators’ Forum, that it has been established beyond doubt that N25 trillion was rightly allocated in the budget, citing three parameters (money, project and location) but cannot ascertain the project location for the other N3 trillion.
A lawmaker from Ondo South Senatorial District, Jimoh Ibrahim, has asked the Federal Government to charge Senator Ningi to court for criminal misinformation and breach of peace in the National Assembly and the country by extension.
The Presidency had on Sunday described as false, a claim by Senator Ningi that the Federal Government is operating two versions of the 2024 budget.
According to a statement by a Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Senator’s claim that the National Assembly passed N25 trillion as the 2024 budget is false, adding that N28.7 trillion was passed and signed into law by President Bola Tinubu.
The Presidency also described as “far-fetched and unbecoming of a leader of his status,” the claim by Senator Ningi, who represents Bauchi Central Senatorial District, that the 2024 budget was anti-North.
Onanuga said the President is leading a government that is fair and equitable to every part and segment of Nigeria, saying in terms of funding, distribution of capital and priority projects, the 2024 Appropriation Act was not skewed against any section of the country.
