Naijahood
Senators representing the 19 Northern states have distanced themselves from assertions of budget manipulation made by Bauchi Central Senator, Abdul Ningi.
The Northern senators reaffirmed their allegiance to President Bola Tinubu.
This stance was articulated in a statement endorsed by Senators Iyal Abbas from Adamawa, Ibrahim Bomoi from Yobe, Abdullahi Yar’ Adua, and four others.
In the statement, the Senators clarified that they do not share Ningi’s views.
They stated: “We, the undersigned on behalf of the Senators from the 19 Northern States and the FCT, operating under the banner of Northern Senators Forum (NSF), hereby clarify that Senator Ahmed Abdul Ningi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP, Bauchi Central), who also serves as the chairman of our forum, acted independently in his remarks to the BBC Hausa Service regarding the 2024 budget.
“Consequently, his expressed viewpoint is solely his own, devoid of consensus and regrettably skewed, inaccurate, and misleading.
“At no point did we convene to authorize Senator Ningi to address the press on this matter.
“The budget was presented to the National Assembly during a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives by President Bola Tinubu on November 29, 2023, in accordance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Both chambers of the National Assembly rigorously debated, processed, and approved the President’s proposal. Satisfied with its contents, the President assented to it.
“It is evident that Mr. President presented a budget of N27.5 trillion to the National Assembly, and the Assembly approved a budget of N28.7 trillion, in response to the necessity of adjusting allocations to various MDAs, in accordance with the legislative powers vested in the National Assembly, to address crucial projects and services across various sectors.
“Hence, Senator Ningi’s assertion that the 2024 budget presented by Mr. President amounted to N25 trillion is inaccurate and should not be construed as the position of the Northern Senators Forum.
“To the best of our knowledge, there was no budget padding whatsoever in the 2024 budget.
“Senator Ningi’s claim of manipulations within the bill represents his personal opinion, not a consensus among Northern Senators.
“Consequently, we collectively disassociate ourselves from his actions, which were profoundly unparliamentary.
“We, the Northern Senators, stand firmly behind President Bola Tinubu, and we pledge our unwavering support for his efforts to address the challenges confronting our nation.
“At this critical juncture, Nigeria requires collaboration, not ethnic sentiments, to foster prosperity for our beloved country, the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We will continue to collaborate with our counterparts from the southern region to advance our nation’s progress for the betterment of all citizens.”
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