Senator Abdul Ningi, the Chairman of Northern Senators’ Forum has expressed worry over the N3.7 trillion allocated in the 2024 Appropriation Act, saying the funds are not accounted for.
In a BBC Hausa Service interview, Senator Ningi said the National Assembly approved N25 trillion for 2024 budget but the Federal Government is implementing N28.7 trillion.
As the budget debate rages on, Senator Ningi is not happy with the President Bola Tinubu-led administration, saying the budget is not being distributed evenly across the regions.
He said he will discuss these with Senate President Goodwill Akpabio and President Tinubu, the Northern Senators’ Forum will take action.
In response to these claims, Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, issued a statement on Sunday and said “Senator Ningi’s claim is false, there is no truth in the allegation”.
Onanuga further said “Contrary to Senator Ningi’s views, it’s impossible for the Senate to debate and pass a N25 trillion budget that was not presented to the National Assembly. We don’t expect a ranking Senator not to pay attention to details before making wild claims.”
He also said the budget signed by President Tinubu on January 1, 2024 was N28.7 trillion as passed by the National Assembly which increased the proposed amount by N1.2 trillion.
Undeterred, Senator Ningi stood by his claim in a press briefing at the senate, ready to face the consequences.
He said “I am not afraid of suspension by the Senate. I stand by what I said: N3.7 trillion not accounted for in the 2024 Budget. I spoke for myself not on behalf of the Northern Senator Forum.”
“I didn’t say the Federal Government has two budgets. I said N25 trillion was accounted for and N3.7 trillion not accounted for.”
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