The Senate plunged into a tumultuous session as Senator Olamilekan Adeola brought forth concerns regarding the budget padding allegations raised by Senator Abdul Ningi, stirring heated exchanges among lawmakers.
Ningi, representing PDP, Bauchi Central, stirred controversy by asserting that a staggering N3.7 trillion was illicitly inserted into the 2024 budget, sparking calls for a thorough investigation into the matter.
While some senators rallied behind Ningi’s call for scrutiny, others vehemently distanced themselves from his claims, contending that his assertions did not represent their collective stance.
Undeterred by dissenting voices, Ningi reiterated his stance, emphasizing the unaccounted N3.7 trillion in the 2024 budget during Monday’s session.
The Senate chamber erupted further when Senator Olamilekan Adeola, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, took the floor, demanding urgent attention to address what he termed as false accusations leveled by Ningi.
In a dramatic turn of events, Adeola read excerpts from Ningi’s interview with BBC Hausa, intensifying the already charged atmosphere. Senate President Godswill Akpabio eventually called for a committee of the whole house to navigate through the contentious issue.
The unfolding saga underscores the deep divisions and mounting tensions within the Senate, raising questions about the integrity and transparency of budgetary processes.
Further developments are anticipated as the Senate grapples with the fallout from these explosive allegations.
