Budget Padding Allegations: Jittery Sen Ningi Dissociates Self from Northern Senators’ Forum

 

Senator Abdul Ningi on Monday dissociated himself from his colleagues in the Northern Senators’ forum over comments on the 2024 budget.

 

Ningi, who represents Bauchi central senatorial district said he will carry his cross alone.

 

The lawmaker is facing baptism of fire from the presidency and alleged rumour of suspension by his colleagues from the upper legislative chamber.

 

It would be recalled that acting under the banner of Northern Senators’ Forum, Senator Ningi, claimed in an interview he granted BBC Hausa Service, that the National Assembly debated and passed N25 Trillion as 2024 budget and not the N28.7 Trillion that is being implemented by the Federal Government.

 

In a swift reaction, the presidency through a statement by Special Adviser to the President on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga faulted claims by NIngi, saying they are unfounded.

 

But briefing the media in Abuja, Senator Ningi, who made a u-turn, said “at no time did I say Tinubu was operating two budgets”.

 

He said “Am not representing Northern Senators’ forum, the interview I had was in my capacity as senator and has no bearing to northern senators”.

 

He berated Onanuga “I have been following his write up for many years, but am surprised with Bayo’s press release agàinst my person.

 

“I never granted interview in English, Bayo did not listen or asked for translation of my Hausa interview” he said.

 

Continuing “At no time did I say Tinubu was against the North, or implementing the budget against the North, I spoke on the state of the nation.

 

”If am suspended it will be honourary, I was speaking like a parliamentarian” Ningi added.