Northern Senators Rejects Budget Padding Accusations

By Iyojo Ameh

Amidst allegations of budget padding leveled by Senator Ahmed Abdul Ningi, the Northern Senators Forum (NSF) has vehemently refuted the claims, issuing a robust statement to distance themselves from the controversy.

Senator Ningi, serving as the forum’s chair, drew attention after his remarks on the BBC Hausa Service, alleging instances of budget padding within the 2024 budget.

However, the NSF swiftly moved to clarify that Senator Ningi’s assertions were not endorsed by the forum and solely represented his personal viewpoints.

Emphasizing that Senator Ningi lacked the mandate to speak on behalf of the forum, the NSF reiterated that his statements did not reflect the collective stance of the Northern Senators.

They stressed the adherence of the budget presentation to constitutional protocols and its comprehensive scrutiny and approval by both chambers of the National Assembly.

In contrast to Senator Ningi’s reported N25 trillion budget figure, the NSF clarified that the approved budget amounted to N28.7 trillion, with provisions made for necessary adjustments to allocate resources for vital projects and services. The forum adamantly denied any involvement in budget padding during the legislative process.

In a gesture of solidarity with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the NSF underscored the significance of fostering collaboration across ethnic divides to address Nigeria’s myriad challenges. They pledged to collaborate closely with their colleagues from the southern region to advance the nation’s collective prosperity and growth.

Also the NSF condemned Senator Ningi’s actions as “grossly unparliamentary,” reiterating their unwavering commitment to supporting endeavors aimed at propelling the nation forward for the betterment of all Nigerians.