In a contentious debate on Tuesday, Senate President Goodwill Akpabio accused Senator Abdul Ningi of Bauchi Central directly of damaging the Senate’s reputation, according to Daily Post. CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
The accusations are based on Ningi’s assertions that the 2024 Appropriations Act included a N3.7 trillion budget padding.
The Northern Senators Forum Chairman, Ningi, argued that untraceable projects totaling N3.7 trillion were included in the 2024 budget.
He added that the N28.7 trillion budget that the Federal Government was implementing was in conflict with the N25 trillion budget that the National Assembly had approved.
The Bauchi Central Senator voiced these concerns during an interview with the BBC Hausa Service.
Despite the denial of these allegations by the Presidency and the Northern Senators Forum distancing itself from Ningi’s claims, the senator maintained his stance that the budget was indeed padded.
Expressing strong condemnation, Akpabio challenged Ningi to apologize for the perceived damage to the Senate’s reputation.
Addressing the Senate floor, Akpabio clarified, “I want Nigerians to know what Mr. President presented to us in a joint meeting at the end of November 2023 for consideration was N27.5 trillion, so at no time did the President present N25 trillion.”
Akpabio acknowledged a potential addition to the budget but emphasized that it amounted to N1.2 trillion.
He expressed disappointment in Ningi’s response, expecting an apology or acknowledgment of misinterpretation.
“This is not the speech I expected, I expected a speech of somebody saying I was sorry for being misquoted, the misinterpretation was this.”.
Instead, Akpabio criticized Ningi for further justifying his position on Arise TV, claiming to possess additional documents supporting his claims.
“But you went back to Arise TV yesterday night to justify your position that you have documents, even now in front of this Senate you claimed to have documents and they are with you.
“No senators or Nigerians know. At the same time, Nigerians are bashing the Senate; most Nigerians will never come back to respect this Senate in the future.
“The image of this chambers has been totally damaged, and we wanted you to repair it with your speech,” Akpabio stated.
He continued, “Instead of that, you claimed to have more documents to prove what you are saying.” CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
