Senate Suspends Senator Ningi Over Allegations of N3.7 Trillion Budget Padding

In a startling development, the Nigerian Senate has suspended Senator Abdul Ningi, who serves as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Population and represents Bauchi Central under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party. The suspension, effective immediately, will last for three months. This decision follows allegations of budget padding amounting to a staggering N3.7 trillion in the 2024 budget, leveled against Ningi. The controversy surrounding Senator Ningi’s actions ignited a fierce debate within the Senate, with demands for a thorough investigation into the accusations. However, several northern senators swiftly distanced themselves from Ningi’s claims, asserting that his statements did not reflect their position on the matter. Despite facing opposition, Ningi stood firm in his assertion that the astronomical figure could not be accounted for within the budgetary framework. During a contentious plenary session, Senator Olamilekan Adeola, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, introduced a motion to address what he perceived as baseless accusations made by Ningi. This prompted a meticulous scrutiny of Ningi’s statements, including a review of the transcript from his interview with Hausa BBC. Senator Jimoh Ibrahim proposed a 12-month suspension for Ningi, along with a cautionary warning for Senator Sumaila Kawu, while Senator Chris Ekpeyong countered with an amendment suggesting a reduced suspension period of six months. Amidst the deliberations, another senator advocated for a three-month suspension, further fueling the debate within the Senate chambers. As the Senate grapples with this contentious issue, Nigerians eagerly await further developments and the eventual resolution of this matter.

Nigerian Senate in rowdy session Over Alleged N3.7 Trillion Budget Padding

The Nigerian Senate finds itself in a maelstrom of controversy as allegations of N3.7 trillion budget padding reverberate through its hallowed halls. The tumultuous episode was ignited by Abdul Ningi, Chairman of the Northern Senators Forum, whose assertions during a BBC Hausa interview sent shockwaves through the legislative body, sparking fervent debates and discord. Ningi, seeking to clarify his remarks, attributed the misunderstanding to linguistic barriers but conceded to enlisting a consultant to scrutinize the budget. The consultant’s findings, revealing the absence of clear allocations for approximately N3.7 trillion, further fueled the flames of contention within the Senate. The revelations prompted a cacophony of impassioned exchanges and procedural maneuvers as senators grappled with the gravity of the allegations. Solomon Adeola Olamilekan, Chair of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, lamented what he perceived as an infringement on his rights as a participating senator in the budgeting process, calling for swift action to restore integrity to the proceedings. Presenting transcripts and recordings of Ningi’s interview, Olamilekan underscored the urgency of the situation, urging his colleagues to address the matter decisively. Several senators echoed his sentiments, emphasizing the need to safeguard the credibility of the budgetary process. In response, Abdul Ningi mounted a defense, refuting claims of explicit accusations and highlighting discrepancies in budget allocations among senatorial districts. His assertions, however, elicited mixed reactions, with some senators advocating for a fair hearing while others condemned what they perceived as a breach of decorum. Senate President Godswill Akpabio intervened, urging unity and decorum among senators while expressing dismay over the handling of the situation by consultants commissioned to review the budget. As tensions continued to simmer, senators grappled with the implications of the allegations, highlighting the imperative of upholding transparency and accountability in governance.

‘Nigeria is so complex to govern’ says Buhari

Given the prevailing circumstances in Nigeria, the immediate past President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, said there is nothing much anyone can do to salvage the situation as Nigeria is a complex country to govern.  The former president gave the remark when he received the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and members of the management team of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Daura, Katsina State, at the weekend. Buhari maintained that his successor, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has performed very well since his assumption of office nine months ago. Addressing Adeniyi and his team, Buhari said Nigeria is a hard nut to crack, enjoining the citizens to endure the economic hardship in the country and support the policies and programmes of the current administration. “I thank you very much for coming. I very much appreciate it. I thought Tinubu has done very well,” Buhari said. “Nigeria is so complex. Really, there isn’t much anybody can do.” Tinubu has faced wide criticism over some of his economic policies, including the removal of fuel subsidy and unification of the exchange rate windows. Reacting, Adeniyi thanked the former president for his unprecedented role in supporting the NCS Act 2023. The CGC also paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Daura, His Royal Highness, Dr Farouk Umar Farouk. “This legislative milestone grants the NCS expanded authority to implement policies aimed at bolstering revenue generation and facilitating trade, thus contributing significantly to Nigeria’s economic growth trajectory,” Adeniyi said. He also spoke about trucks carrying food items seized at the border, saying, “I will also use this occasion to brief you on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directives that all trucks of food carrying exports across borders that were seized by customs be returned to the traders with the hope that they would plow them back into the Nigerian markets.” It should be noted that this was not the first time Buhari made a remark about Nigeria being a tough job for leaders to govern. In November 2023, during an interview with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Buhari said the country was difficult to rule. “Nigerians are extremely difficult. People know their rights. They think they should be there, not you. So, they monitor virtually your every step. And you have to struggle day and night to ensure you are competent enough,” he said.

Budget Padding: Northern Senators Distance Themselves from Allegations

In response to recent allegations made by Senator Ahmed Abdul Ningi regarding the 2024 budget, the Northern Senators Forum (NSF) has issued a statement distancing themselves from his claims. Senator Ningi, who chairs the forum, made remarks on the BBC Hausa Service alleging budget padding, which the NSF vehemently refutes. According to the NSF, there was no mandate given to Senator Ningi to address the press on the matter, and his views were deemed as personal opinions that do not represent the stance of the Northern Senators. The forum highlights that the budget was presented to the National Assembly by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in accordance with constitutional requirements and was diligently debated and passed by both chambers. Contrary to Senator Ningi’s assertion of a N25 trillion budget, the NSF clarifies that the budget passed was N28.7 trillion, allowing for adjustments in appropriations to address critical projects and services. The forum asserts that there was no budget padding involved in the process. Expressing solidarity with President Tinubu, the NSF emphasizes the need for collaboration across ethnic lines to address the challenges facing Nigeria. They pledge to work with colleagues from the southern part of the country to advance the nation’s prosperity. The NSF concludes by distancing themselves from Senator Ningi’s actions, labeling them as “grossly unparliamentary,” and reiterates their commitment to supporting efforts aimed at moving the country forward for the benefit of all citizens.

Breaking! UK Bans Nigerian Health Workers, Others From Bringing Family Members

In a move aimed at reducing net migration and addressing visa abuse, the UK Home Office has announced a ban on health workers bringing dependants to the country.  The decision, part of a broader plan to control legal migration, seeks to cut down on unsustainable levels of immigration. Last year, 120,000 dependants accompanied 100,000 workers to the UK, prompting the government to take action.  Care providers sponsoring migrants will now need to register with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to curb exploitation and abuse in the sector. Home Secretary James Cleverly MP stated, “Our plan is robust but fair – protecting British workers while ensuring the very best international talent can work and study here.” The government aims to prevent the undercutting of British workers by raising the salary threshold for skilled workers and removing the 20% ‘going-rate’ discount for migrant workers in shortage occupations. Minister for Social Care Helen Whately MP emphasized the need for an ethical and sustainable approach, stating, “International recruitment and more immigration are not long-term solutions to our social care needs.”  The government is simultaneously investing in the domestic workforce through social care career reforms and qualifications. In addition to these measures, the Home Secretary announced a review of the graduate route for international students to prevent abuse and maintain the integrity of UK higher education.  The upcoming rules, set to be laid in Parliament on March 14, signify a determined effort to fulfill the government’s commitment to substantially reduce migration numbers.

Senate Forms Ad-Hoc Committee to Probe Financial Controversies

Amidst mounting controversies surrounding the financial operations of the Buhari administration, senate president, Sen. Godswill Akpabio has inaugurated the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on Ways and Means on Monday. The committee’s primary mandate, driven by concerns over fund management, includes a thorough investigation into the utilization of resources, notably focusing on the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme and other financial avenues. In his address to stakeholders, the Senate President emphasized the critical need for transparency, accountability, and good governance, especially in light of recent financial controversies. He highlighted the significance of the committee’s mandate and urged members to execute their duties diligently and professionally, prioritizing the interests of the Nigerian people. The establishment of the committee followed consultations with the Federal Government’s Economic Management Team and a subsequent report by the Joint Committees on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions; Finance; National Planning; Agriculture; and Appropriations. The report identified concerns and irregularities in fund utilization, prompting decisive action from the Senate. Furthermore, the Senate President reiterated the importance of the committee’s task amidst ongoing financial debates in Nigeria. He expressed confidence in the committee’s ability to conduct thorough investigations and called for a commitment to justice, fairness, and the public good. Senator Isah Jibrin (Echocho), appointed as the committee’s chairman, emphasized the significance of the Ways and Means controversy and assured Nigerians of a thorough and impartial investigation. He urged stakeholders to cooperate and provide necessary documents for scrutiny. The committee, composed of distinguished senators, is poised to embark on its mission to investigate and address concerns regarding fund management in Nigeria, guided by principles of transparency, integrity, and accountability. Members of the committee include: 1. Senator Isah Jibrin (Chairman) 2. Senator Sahabi Ya’u (Vice Chairman) 3. Senator Adamu Aleiro 4. Senator Adetokunbo Abiru 5. Senator Asuquo Ekpeyong 6. Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno 7. Senator Victor Umeh 8. Senator Solomon Olamilakan 9. Senator Sani Musa 10. Senator Abdul Ningi 11. Senator Aliyu Wadada 12. Senator Ipalibo Banigho 13. Senator Jimoh Ibrahim 14. Senator Ibrahim Mohammed 15. Senator Joel Thomas Onowakpa 16. Senator Dafinone Ede 17. Senator Aminu Iya Abbas 18.

Presidency Speaks On Cabal Hijacking Tinubu’s Administration

The Nigerian Presidency has denied reports of a powerful ‘cabal’ forming in Aso-rock with the sole aim of hijacking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. Appearing on TVC Politics on Sunday, Presidential media aide, Ajuri Ngelale disclosed that no one or any group of people could establish control over the President’s actions. He disclosed that the President has structured his government in a way that prevents any single official or group from exerting the kind of influence that could lead to governance hijack. He said, “The good fortune we have is that we elected, not just a professional accountant, a professional auditor, but we elected a man who fully understands the governance mechanisms, not just at the federal level, but at sub-national level. I think this is a man who anyone working in the office of the President would tell you, there is not one individual in the Presidency that has a monopoly over what the President sees, hears and reads. Nobody has that kind of power in the office of this President and that’s intentional.” “He is someone who everyone has access to, everyone who needs to have access to him, has access to him. He has direct communications on a frequent basis with the heads of intelligence agencies, anti-graft agencies, and the like.” “So there is not going to be the potential there for anyone to form a cabal around this President because he’s aware of the dynamics of what has happened in the past and he is determined to ensure that that is not replicated under his watch.” “I will also add the fact that in the person of the current CBN Governor Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, this is a man who is reputed around the world as being a prudent manager of men and resources. This is someone who has a reputation, even within the government, of being tight fisted and that is by the intention of President Bola Tinubu to have someone like that in place. “I would also add that when you look at organizational structures that lead to Governor Emefiele, … put him in the position that he currently is in, the President has taken a comprehensive review of that structure and he has said, even by legislation, that we are going to ensure that not only guardrails are put in place, but that legislative changes be enacted in such a way that this can never happen again.” “He’s determined to do it, Nigerians will watch him do it and that will mean that moving forward, the kind of elite conspiracy we saw between CBN officials, high ranking government officials and high ranking members of the private sector, they’re not going to be able to conspire amongst themselves to find loopholes within the system because we have a President who’s an auditor and accountant, who will close those loopholes, just the way he did in Lagos State many years ago.”, he said.

Presidency Denies Allegation of Budget Padding 

Following accusations by Senator Abdul Ningi of Bauchi Central (PDP) that the executive is implementing an additional budget  of N3tn other than the one approved on January 1, 2024, the Presidency has denied the allegation describing it as untrue and unfounded. This came as the Senate said it would meet over the matter on Tuesday, using its internal mechanisms and control process The Northern Senators’ Forum, led by Ningi, had contended in a BBC Hausa Service interview that the Federal Government, led by President Bola Tinubu, was executing a budget significantly higher than what was passed by the NASS. The lawmaker stated that a N25tn budget was debated and passed, not the N28.7tn that is currently being implemented. “Apart from what the National Assembly did on the floor, there was another budget that was done underground which we didn’t know. “The new things we have discovered in the budget were not known to us. We haven’t seen them in the budget that was debated and considered on the floor of the National Assembly. “For example, it was said that there was a budget of N28tn but what was passed was N25 trillion. So there is N3tn on top. Where are they, where is it going? So, we need to know this. There are a lot of things,” said Ningi. Ningi, also revealed plans to meet President Bola Tinubu later this week saying, “We are coming up with a report and we will show the president himself and ask him if he is aware or not.” He revealed that the forum had commissioned consultants to evaluate the 2024 budget to unearth how N3tn was surreptitiously included in the amount passed by lawmakers. Debunking the allegation in a statement signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency described Ningi’s claims as “false” asserting that Tinubu had initially presented a N27.5tn budget to the National Assembly on November 29, 2023. It said the budget included N9.92tn for recurrent expenditure, N8.25tn for debt service, and N8.7tn for capital expenditure, contrasting Ningi’s claims. The Presidency emphasised that it was implausible for the Senate to have debated and passed a N25tn budget that was never presented. “Contrary to the strange view expressed by Senator Ningi, there was no way the Senate could have debated and passed a N25tn budget that was not presented to the National Assembly. We don’t expect a ranking Senator not to pay due attention to details before making wild claims. “It is also important to let Nigerians know that the budget that President Tinubu signed into law on January 1, 2024, as passed by the National Assembly was N28.7tn,” Onanuga insisted. It argued that the National Assembly only exercised its appropriation powers, and increased the executive’s proposed budget by N1.2tn to N28.7tn, which President Tinubu subsequently signed into law on New Year’s Day. Onanuga stated, “We want to state categorically that the only 2024 budget that is being implemented is the N28.7tn budget passed by the National Assembly and signed by the President. “Included in the budget are statutory transfers to the Judiciary, National Assembly, Tetfund and others. He did not present a budget of N25tn.” Addressing Senator Ningi’s assertion that the 2024 budget was anti-North, the Presidency dismissed it as “far-fetched” and “unbecoming” of a leader of his stature.”

Anambra Governor Soludo Appoints Yoruba Man As Permanent Secretary

Anambra State Governor, Charles Chukwuma Soludo, has appointed an Osun State indigene, Bayo Ojeyinka as a Permanent Secretary in the state civil service. The appointment, which was based on merit, was commended by civil servants in the state, describing it as deserving. According to Business Day, Ojeyinka has been in the Anambra state public service system since 1995, after completing his National Youth Service Corps scheme (NYSC) in the state. He received the award as the best-serving corps member during his service year and was subsequently retained by the state government. Speaking on his promotion, Ojeyinka expressed gratitude to Governor Soludo and promised to increase his productivity, transparency, and fairness in his work. He said, “I am so excited to be considered. I don’t see this as a right but rather a rare privilege because so many brilliant officers also merited the promotion. “I thank Mr Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo for this honour, and Ndi Anambra for all their love, kindness and support in my 29 years of living in Anambra State. “I will repay the state with increased efficiency, productivity, transparency and fairness in my work. “I thank my colleagues to, the Head of Service, Her Honour, Barrister Mrs Theodora Igwegbe for her wonderful support. I promise to live up to the great expectations.”

‘Enough is Enough, Kidnappers deserve death penalty, Remi Tinubu fumes

Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has said that anyone convicted of abduction deserves capital punishment. The first lady stated this in her reaction to the news of 200 women who were kidnapped in Borno State, and over 280 pupils and teachers kidnapped in Kaduna State. Remi Tinubu, also described kidnappers as cowards, saying “Whoever is kidnapping young people is sick, cruel, and a coward. “Enough is enough and I call on the state governors that once we take hold of them, they deserve capital punishment. “Why don’t they take people their size? Why are they torturing our children? What they are trying to do is kill our future. “We all know parents, when we are old we rely on our children. “Why would you go and take them from schools? Right now, I think enough is enough. As a former lawmaker, I believe that any one of them captured deserves capital punishment. “They (kidnappers) are animals, they are evil and we should take them out of our midst. “The state governors and the lawmakers should do something.” Recall that about 200 women were reportedly kidnapped by Boko Haram terrorists in the Gamboru-Ngala and Dikwa local government areas of Borno State. The women, who were Internally Displaced Persons, were said to have been kidnapped while they went into the bush in search of firewood. Also, over 280 pupils and teachers of Government Secondary School and LEA primary school at Kuriga, Kaduna State were abducted by bandits on Thursday, triggering national outrage. The bandits reportedly invaded the Kuriga area of the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Thursday, shooting at their victims before taking away at least 280 of the pupils and teachers from both schools.