By Bayo Davids<\/p>\n
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has faulted the suspension of Senator Abdul Ningi by the upper legislative chamber, for blowing the lid on the alleged padding of the 2024 budget to the tune of M3.7trn.<\/p>\n
Recall that Ningi, a federal lawmaker elected on the platform of the People Democratic Party (PDP) had in a recent interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Hausa Service, alleged that the N3.7trn upward review of the the 2024 budget could not be traced to any project anywhere in the country.<\/p>\n
Ningi’s allegations dominated public discourse for days and at the resumption of plenary on Tuesday, the PDP chieftain refused to apologize to his colleagues, culminating in his suspension for a period of three months.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, a civic cum accountability advocate group, BudgIT backed Ningi’s claim, insisting that National Assembly members inserted N2.24trn worth of constituency projects into the 2024 budget.<\/p>\n
Reacting to the development on his verified X handle on Thursday, the former Vice President called for a holistic investigation into the allegations even as he slammed the Senate for taking the hasty decision of suspending the Bauchi lawmaker.<\/p>\n
He wrote, \u201cOver the past few days, allegations have rocked the Senate, questioning the very integrity of the 2024 Appropriation Act, the cornerstone of our nation’s annual planning and development.<\/p>\n
\u201cA fiscal policy analytics and advocacy organization has unequivocally confirmed a disturbing lack of transparency within the 2024 Appropriation Act.<\/p>\n
\u201cFurthermore, the sudden suspension of the whistle-blower Senator, without adequate explanation, has only fueled the crisis, leaving us with more questions than answers.<\/p>\n
\u201cI demand an immediate and thorough investigation into these allegations. Appropriation lies at the heart of governance, and any deviation from serving the people’s interests will be met with fierce opposition.\u201d<\/p>\n
While admitting that the lawmakers are liberty to deny any wrongdoing, Atiku added that the suspension of Ningi would only fuel public interest in what took place behind the scenes.<\/p>\n
\u201cDenials are unacceptable, and the suspension of one senator cannot silence accusations of corruption and illegal fiscal spending by the Federal Government.<\/p>\n
\u201cWithout a clear explanation to the people of Nigeria, we must treat these allegations for what they are: outright fraud.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe accusation of budget padding totaling N3 trillion cannot be dismissed lightly by the government.<\/p>\n
\u201cGiven the current hardships facing our nation, a padded budget is already translating to a padded hunger, padded poverty, padded insecurity, padded energy crises, padded forex instability, and the soaring cost of living.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe people of Nigeria cannot afford to ignore allegations that worsen our already dire economic situation,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n
That said, Atiku slammed the President Bola Tinubu-led administration for what he called its \u201cTrack record of ignoring issues of transparency and due process in public administration.\u201d<\/p>\n
He continued: \u201cThe unresolved $3.3 bn NNPCL loan repayment scandal, with Nigeria now expected to repay $12 bn, remains a glaring example.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Tinubu administration must address these high-profile corruption cases transparently.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe National Assembly, as the elected representatives of the people, are constitutionally obligated to legislate for the peace, order, and good governance of our nation, without colluding with corrupt elements.<\/p>\n
\u201cFailure to do so and persisting in denial will only confirm the government’s complicity in official malpractice.\u201d<\/p>\n
By Bayo Davids Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has faulted the suspension of Senator Abdul Ningi by the upper legislative chamber, for blowing the lid on the alleged padding of…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":109206,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-110974","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-exclusive"],"yoast_head":"\n