Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed his support for Senator Abdul Ningi, who was recently suspended from the Senate over allegations of budget padding in the National Assembly. During a solidarity visit to Ningi’s residence, Abubakar cautioned the Senate against becoming a tool of oppressive governments.
Allegations of Budget Padding
Ningi, who represents Bauchi Central, was suspended for three months by the Senate on March 12, 2024. In an interview with BBC Hausa, he alleged that the budget passed by the National Assembly for the 2024 fiscal year was N25 trillion, while the one being implemented by the presidency was N28.7tn. Ningi claimed that N3tn had been inserted into the budget for projects without locations, making it the highest budget padding in Nigerian history.
Protecting the Interests of Nigerians
During his visit, Atiku Abubakar emphasized the importance of public institutions, such as the National Assembly, in protecting the interests of Nigerians in a democratic setting. He stated that the integrity of these institutions reflects how the interests of the masses are preserved and protected. Abubakar also highlighted the need to cleanse the country of oppressive individuals in positions of authority.
In his address, Senator Abdul Ningi stressed the importance of placing the interests of the masses above personal interests, regardless of political affiliation or positions. He emphasized the need for the interests of the people to remain sacrosanct and protected from the whims of any individual in power.
Article updated 2 months ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
