BREAKING: Pandemonium at Senate As Pressure Piles On Akpabio Over Sen. Ningi’s Budget Padding Claim

• The Senate is currently engaged in a lively debate about accusations that the 2024 budget was inflated by N3 trillion
• The discussion arose following a motion by Solomon Adeola, the senator for Ogun West, who claimed his privileges as a senator were violated
• Abdul Ningi, representing Bauchi Central, intensified the controversy over the weekend by asserting that the budget has inflicted significant harm on the nation as a whole

Legit.ng journalist Segun Adeyemi has over 9 years of experience covering political events, civil societies, courts, and metro

FCT, Abuja - Senators have engaged in a heated discussion regarding allegations by Senator Abdul Ningi from Bauchi Central Senatorial District, Bauchi State.

He claimed that the 2024 Budget had been inflated by N3 trillion and that two different versions were being circulated.

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Senate suspends Senator Ningi for 3 months over 2024 budget padding claim

Despite initially making these statements during an interview with BBC Hausa Service over the weekend, Ningi retracted his comments on Monday, stating that he had been misquoted because he spoke in the Hausa language.

How it went down

During Tuesday's March 12 Senate session, Senator Adeola Olamilekan, head of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, brought up a concern regarding a claim made by Ningi.

This prompted a motion for an investigation, which Senator Joel Onawakpo supported.

Subsequently, a lively debate among senators ensued.

However, Senator Adamu Aliero from Kebbi Central Senatorial District raised a procedural point, urging Senate President Godswill Akpabio to ensure fairness by allowing the individuals involved to present their perspectives on the matter.

In reaction to Senator Ningi's interruption of Senator Aliero's motion, Akpabio expressed initial frustration.

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Senate on rampage as Sen Jarigbe accuses senior lawmakers of getting N500m each

He emphasised the importance of maintaining stability within the National Assembly, considering the matter at hand straightforward.

Eventually, Ningi was allowed to share his perspective, and he presented his side of the story.

Senator Arigbe accuses senior lawmakers of receiving N500m

Also, at the plenary, Senator Jarigbe Jarigbe of Cross River North senatorial district alleged that senior lawmakers received N500 million each, which he did not receive.

During the plenary session monitored by Legit.ng, Senator Jarigbe's mic was immediately muted, and the entire red chamber went berserk at the mention of the allegation.

Alleged budget padding: Akpabio, INEC chair, told to resign

Similarly, controversy has continued to trail the findings of Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi over alleged budget padding by the Senate.

This development has triggered agitation for the immediate resignation of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Meanwhile, the post-election report of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has also been condemned.

Source: Legit.ng