Senator Ningi: I never said the 2024 budget was padded

Senator Abdul Ningi, representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, has vehemently denied allegations attributed to him in the media regarding the padding of the 2024 budget, as he confirmed yesterday that he never said the budget was padded.

Speaking during an open session in the Senate, the former Chairman of the Northern Senators Forum clarified his position, refuting claims that he accused the National Assembly of padding the new budget with a substantial sum of N3 trillion. The lawmaker categorically denied making such statements, emphasising that his words were misrepresented.

Addressing his colleagues in the Senate, Senator Ningi stated, “I have never said somebody was blinded. Secondly, I have never said the budget was padded. Let me concur with about 80 percent of the translation read out by Senator Yayi. I think they have done a fair job, except on some issues they could not understand.”

Senator Ningi underscored the misinterpretation of his remarks, emphasising that certain elements had distorted his statements. “The beginning of this brouhaha started with this text. Senator Abdu Ningi is purported to be the author of this document. Let me, for the avoidance of doubt, say that I have never issued a statement of this nature to anybody anywhere and anytime.”

The senator underscored the misinterpretation of his remarks, stating that certain elements had distorted his statements. "Let me for the avoidance of doubt, I have never issued a statement of this nature to anybody anywhere and anytime," he affirmed.

During a Senate session, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo South, APC) proposed a motion to suspend Senator Ningi for 12 months due to the lack of substantiated proof regarding the alleged padding, and suggested that Senator Sumaila Kawu (Kano South, NNPP) be warned. However, Senator Chris Ekpeyong (Akwa-Ibom North-West, PDP) opposed the motion and proposed an amendment to reduce the suspension to six months. This amendment was seconded. Later, Senator Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South, PDP) proposed that Ningi be suspended for three months.

Following his three-month suspension by the Senate over the allegations, Senator Ningi has decided to resign as the chairman of the Northern Senators Forum. In his resignation letter, he expressed gratitude to the members of the forum for the opportunity to lead and acknowledged the significance of the forum in the progress and development of Northern Nigeria.

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Source: Legit.ng