The Chairman of the Northern Senators’ Forum, Senator Abdul Ningi has made a u-turn on allegations he made against the Tinubu administration, stating that he was ‘Misquoted’.
Ningi made headlines after accusing the Tinubu administration of padding the 2024 National Budget by over N3 Trillion. However, Speaking to Senate correspondents on Monday, Ningi emphasized that he did not insinuate that President Bola Tinubu was managing two budgets or displayed bias against the North.
He clarified that his remarks were made in his capacity as a Senator, not as the Chairman of the Northern Senators’ Forum.
He reiterated his stance that while N25 trillion was appropriately allocated in the budget based on three parameters (money, project, and location), he could not ascertain the project locations for the remaining N3 trillion. He also expressed his willingness to face consequences, even if it leads to his suspension from the Red Chamber.
Senator to Face Possible Criminal Charges
Meanwhile, a lawmaker from Ondo South Senatorial District, Jimoh Ibrahim, has asked the Federal Government to charge Senator Ningi to court for criminal misinformation and breach of peace in the National Assembly and the country by extension.
The Presidency had on Sunday described as false, a claim by Senator Ningi that the Federal Government is operating two versions of the 2024 budget.
According to a statement by a Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the senator’s claim that the National Assembly passed N25 trillion as the 2024 Budget is false, adding that N28.7 trillion was passed and signed into law by President Bola Tinubu.
The Presidency also described as “far-fetched and unbecoming of a leader of his status”, the claim by Senator Ningi, who represents Bauchi Central Senatorial District, that the 2024 Budget was anti-north.
