IBB lampoons Senate for suspending Sen. Ningi over alleged budget padding

 

MINNA, Niger – Former Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida has lampooned the Senate for suspending Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi over his allegation of padding of the 2024 budget appropriation in order to save face. 

Ningi had alleged that the budget passed by the National Assembly for the 2024 fiscal year is N25 trillion while the one being implemented by the Presidency is N28.7 trillion.

Speaking on the suspension, the former Head of State said he expected the red chamber to employ due diligence by setting up a committee to conduct pragmatic investigation into the matter raised and display the outcome to Nigerians.

“Rather than suspending the Senator, I would have expected the house to employ due diligence by setting up a committee to conduct a pragmatic investigation and look into the matter raised by the Senator, then display the transparency of the outcome to Nigerians they represent”, he said.

Senator Ningi has nonetheless resigned his membership of the Northern Senate Forum.