The Presidency has strongly criticized Bauchi Central Senator Abdul Ningi for his recent assertions regarding the 2024 budget, labeling them as false and unfounded.
Senator Ningi, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), claimed that the budget had been padded with N3 trillion and unfairly favored certain regions, particularly the North.
In response, the Presidency, represented by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, asserted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had ensured an equitable distribution of funds across all six geopolitical zones, dismissing any allegations of regional bias.
Additionally, three senators—Steve Sunday Karimi (Kogi West), Titus Tartenger Zam (Benue Northwest), and Kaka Sheu (Borno Central)—all members of the Northern Senators’ Forum, distanced themselves from Ningi’s claims, labeling them as baseless and lacking evidence.
They cautioned against attempts to sow discord within the National Assembly, characterizing such actions as detrimental to the institution’s integrity.
Ningi had alleged in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service that the 2024 budget had been inflated by N3 trillion and unfairly favored certain regions, particularly the North.
He claimed that a consultant’s report supported his assertions and vowed to confront Senate President Godswill Akpabio with these findings.
Furthermore, at a recent meeting, some northern senators accused Akpabio of inserting projects worth N4 trillion into the budget without specifying their locations, alleging that this favored certain individuals and regions.
They also criticized the rushed passage of the budget, asserting that it lacked transparency and accountability.
Solomon Adeola, Chairman of the Senate Appropriation Committee, announced that the Senate would address these allegations during tomorrow’s plenary session.
Meanwhile, the Presidency reiterated its commitment to fairness and transparency in budgetary matters, dismissing any insinuations of bias or impropriety.
“President Tinubu is leading a government that is fair and equitable to every part and segment of Nigeria.
“In terms of funding, distribution of capital and priority projects, the 2024 Appropriation Act was not skewed against any section of the country.
“The North, as an integral part of the country, is well covered in all areas, from security to agriculture, healthcare to education, and other important infrastructure such as roads, rail, dams, power and irrigation projects to support all year-round agriculture.
“It is concerning that a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria can employ such primordial antics to fuel divisive rhetoric at a time well-meaning Nigerians are joining hands with President Tinubu to raise the spirit of national cohesion, unity and inclusive politics.
“We want to use this opportunity to commend Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, for setting the record straight.
“We also commend Senators Steve Sunday Karimi (Kogi), Titus Tartenger Zam (Benue) and Kaka Sheu (Borno) for their forthrightness and for coming out against the misrepresentation of facts by Senator Ningi.
“Following the false claims made by Senator Abdul Ningi, representing Bauchi Central, that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government is operating two versions of the 2024 Budget, we consider it appropriate to inform Nigerians that there is no truth whatsoever in the allegation.
“Acting under the banner of Northern Senators’ Forum, Senator Ningi falsely claimed in an interview he granted BBC Hausa Service that the National Assembly debated and passed N25 trillion as 2024 budget and not the N28.7 trillion that is being implemented by the Federal Government.
“To begin with, President Tinubu on November 29, 2023 presented a budget of N27.5 Trillion to the joint session of the National Assembly made up of N9.92 Trillion recurrent expenditure, Debt Service N8.25 Trillion and Capital Expenditure N8.7 Trillion.
“This was widely reported. He did not present a budget of N25 trillion.”
