Senator Ningi stated this in a BBC Hausa Service on Saturday, monitored by our correspondent.
Akpabio, a two-time Governor of oil-rich Akwa Ibom State is facing barrage of allegations bordering on corruption, many of which have been left unprobed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), owing largely to his closeness to the Aso Rock power brokers.
Recall that in August 2023, Senator Akpabio shocked the world when on the floor of the Senate, he confessed to have sent monies to the 109 Senators to enable them enjoyed their two weeks break.
“In order to enable all of us to enjoy our holidays, a token has been sent to our various accounts by the clerk of the national assembly,” Akpabio had said, a remark that culminated in calls for his prosecution.
Lamenting what he called two of variants of the 2024 budget, Senator Ningi was quoted as saying, “For the first time in Nigerian history, we are operating two different budgets- one budget approved by National Assembly signed by President Bola Tinubu and the one implemented by presidency.”
According to him, The one approved by the National Assembly is ₦25 trn while the one operated by the Federal Government is ₦28trn.
“Apparently, we discovered that ₦3 trn was inserted into the budgets without locations. This is the highest budget padding that happened in Nigerian history under Senator Akpabio watch,” he said.
According to Senator Ningi, there’s the urgent need to clarify from President Tinubu to ascertain if he is aware of the N3trn insertion.
“We have resolved as the people’s representatives to see President Tinubu on this issue, with facts and figures, to ask him if he is aware of this embarrassment or not.
“From there, we will take action. Let Nigerians be patient with us. This is a national issue affecting all Nigerians irrespective of party, tribe or religion,” he added.