Senator Ali Ndume, the Senate Chief Whip representing Borno South Senatorial District, disclosed receiving more than the N200 million allocation designated for some of his colleagues in the 10th National Assembly. Speaking on Channels Television's Politics Today program, Senator Ndume addressed allegations by Senator Jarigbe Agom-Jarigbe from Cross River North, who asserted that certain senators had been allocated a total of N500 million each from the 2024 Budget for constituency projects.
Responding to the allegations, Senator Ndume acknowledged the disparity in allocations, stating, "My colleagues know that I got more than them [floor members]." He emphasized that as a leader among the 10 principal officers, including those from the opposition, he received a larger allocation, underscoring the norm within the Senate. Senator Ndume's comments echoed the sentiment expressed by Senator Abdul Ningi from Bauchi Central Senatorial District, who had previously raised concerns about budget padding amounting to N3.7 trillion in the 2024 N28.7 trillion budget.
However, Senator Ndume's admission sheds light on the intricate dynamics within the Senate, where disparities in budget allocations exist among members. He likened the situation to George Orwell's famous quote, "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others," suggesting that the allocation discrepancies are accepted norms within the Senate's hierarchy.
Responding to the news, Nigerians have voiced their discontent with the status quo, questioning the integrity and fairness of the Senate's budgetary practices. One commenter lamented, "We don't need a senate house....all their children will eat sour grapes!" while another criticized the system as a "Government of the rich, for the rich!"
Moreover, concerns have been raised about transparency and accountability regarding the utilization of allocated funds for constituency projects. A commenter questioned, "So if you don't disclose what you got, how do we know if you spent the money for constituency projects or not?"
