Senate President Godswill Akpabio voiced serious concerns over the perceived damage to the integrity of the Senate following the controversial statements made by Senator Abdul Ningi. The uproar stems from Ningi's recent interview with BBC Hausa, where he alleged that the National Assembly passed a budget of N25 trillion for 2024, contradicting the federal government's implementation of a larger N28.7 trillion budget.
Addressing the Senate during an open session, Akpabio expressed dismay at the negative public perception of the parliament, asserting that the Senate had become a subject of ridicule. He directly criticized Ningi for his interview and subsequent statements justifying the initial claims of budget padding.
"Nigerians are bashing the Senate. The integrity of this chamber has been damaged, and we wanted you to repair it with your speech," Akpabio remarked during the session.
Akpabio refuted Ningi's assertions and questioned the lack of comprehensive details provided to him, emphasizing the rapid dissemination of information on social media. He cited media reports, including one from Premium Times, highlighting the alleged budget discrepancies, further adding to the confusion surrounding the situation.
Despite President Tinubu presenting a budget proposal of N27.5 trillion to the National Assembly in November, Akpabio clarified that there were no indications of a N25 trillion budget estimate. He also dismissed rumors suggesting otherwise, reinforcing the need for clarity and transparency in the ongoing budget controversy that has put the Senate's credibility under intense scrutiny.
