The Senate got into a heated argument today over a senator’s assertion that the 2024 budget was inflated by N3 trillion and that there were two versions of the budget. Senator Abdul Ningi represents the Bauchi Central Senatorial District in Bauchi State.
Recall that over the weekend, Ningi was reportedly quoted as saying as much in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service.
Ningi, however, denied the reports on Monday, saying he was quoted out of context because he spoke in Hausa.
However, at the resumed plenary of the Senate on Tuesday, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Adeola Olamilekan, moved a motion, calling for the investigation of the claim by Ningi.
Adeola’s motion was seconded by Senator Joel Onawakpo, after which senators engaged in a stormy debate while speaking on the matter.
Senator Adamu Aliero, representing Kebbi Central Senatorial District, raised a point of order, asking the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to ensure a fair hearing by allowing the man at the centre of the controversy to state his side of the story.
But, in his response to the motion, Akpabio, said, “For me I think this is a very straightforward matter. We have a situation to be the stabiliser of the National Assembly.”