Budget padding: Senator Ningi quits

Senator Abdul Ningi, representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District, has resigned as the Chairman of the Northern Senators Forum following his suspension as a member of the Senate.

Senator Ningi was suspended by the Senate over his claim that the 2024 budget was padded with a N3.7 trillion in an interview on BBC Hausa Service.

However, Ningi tendered his resignation letter as the Chairman of Northern Senators Forum following his suspension from the Senate for three months.

The letter reads: “I will like to resign my position as the chairman of the Northern Senators Forum. This is of course necessitated by unfolding events in the National Assembly, the North and the Nation at large.

“I will like to specially thank members of the forum for the opportunity given to me for the last eight months to spearhead this very important forum.

“I believe this forum is very important to the progress and development of Northern Nigeria.”

Ningi had alleged that the National Assembly added N3.7 trillion to the initial proposed N25 trillion.

Consequent upon his allegations of budget padding, the Senate resolved to suspend him for three months.

Indeed, after along stormy session, the Senate proved that his allegations were based on falsehood as he could not also provide evidence to prove his claims that the 2024 budget was padded as he alleged.