- I stand by my interview, I Did Not Speak For Northern Senators ….Sen. Ningi
From Lateef Taiwo
Northern Senators Forum has dissociated themselves from the statement credited to Senator Abdul Ningi,( PDP),that the Presidency is operating two different budget.
The lawmaker representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District over the weekend alleged that the 2024 budget was skewed in favour of some geographical zones.
In a statement signed by the 19 Northern Senators and the FCT, under the aegis of Northern Senators Forum ( NSF), made available to Journalists in Abuja, the lawmakers categorically stated Senator Abdul Ningi was on his own on the claim made in an interview with BBC Hausa Service .
“We, the undersigned on behalf of the Senators from the 19 Northern States and the FCT, under the aegis of Northern Senators Forum (NSF), hereby state that Senator Ahmed Abdul Ningi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bauchi Central Senatorial District, who also happens to be the chairman of our forum, was on his own in the claims he made on the BBC Hausa Service on the 2024 budget. As such, the view he expressed was his personal opinion, sentiment and unfortunately skewed, incorrect and misleading”
The Forum further states that there was never a time the group held a meeting and mandated the Bauchi lawmaker to address the press on the issues raised in the BBC interview
” There was never a time where we held a meeting and mandated Senator Ningi to address the press on the said matter, the budget was presented to the National Assembly during a joint session of the two chambers – Senate and House of Representatives – by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on November 29, 2023, in line with the requirement of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
” That both chambers of the National Assembly diligently and meticulously debated, processed and passed the proposal of the President. And satisfied with it, the President assented to it”
“It is clear that Mr President presented a budget of N27. 5 trillion to the National Assembly and the Assembly passed a budget of N28.7 trillion based on the need to make increases or decreases in the appropriations of the various MDAs which is in tandem with the legislative powers of the National Assembly in order to address critical projects and services across various sectors. Therefore, the statement made by Senator Ningi that the 2024 budget presented to the National Assembly by Mr President was the sum of N25 trillion was not correct and that should not be taken as the position of the Northern Senators Forum”
“That to the best of our knowledge there was no budget padding, whatsoever that was done to the 2024 budget. The assertion by Senator Ningi that certain things were done to the bill is his personal opinion. It is not the view of the generality of us, the Northern Senators”
” Hence, we strongly and collectively dissociate ourselves from his action which was grossly unparliamentary”
That the Northern Senators are solidly behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and they will continue to support him to succeed in addressing the challenges facing our country. Nigeria, at this particular moment does not need ethnic sentiments but collaborations of all to bring prosperity to our beloved country, the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We will continue to work with our brothers and sisters from the southern part of the country to move our country forward for the benefit of all and sundry”
In a swift reactions senator Ningi told Senate Correspondents on Monday that he stand by his interview, saying that
“I am not afraid of suspension by the Senate ,i
stand by what I said ,
N3.7 Trillion not traced to any project in the 2024 Budget
” I spoke for myself and not on behalf of Northern Senator forum
I never said the federal government is operating two budget
I only said N25 Trillion traced to projects and N3.7 Trillion not Traced to Any project”
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