There is tension in the Senate following the review of the 2024 budget by northern senators forum to identify some perceived infractions and padding of the money bill .
To this effect the forum consisting of senators from the 19 northern states have hired and commissioned experts who have since begun the probe.
The BBC Hausa service on Saturday quoted Senator Abdul Ningi, Chairman of the NSF, as alleging that the federal government was operating a N28trillion budget, contrary to the N25trillion passed by the National Assembly.
The BBC report alleged that Senator Ningi said, “For the first time in Nigerian history, today we are operating two different budgets. One budget approved by the National Assembly signed by President Bola Tinubu and the one implemented by the presidency.
“The one approved by us is ₦25 trillion while the one operated by the Federal Government is ₦28 trillion.
“Apparently we discovered ₦3 trillion was inserted into the budgets without locations. This is the highest budget padding that happened in Nigerian history under Sen Akpabio’s watch.
“We resolved as people Representative to see President Tinubu on this issue, with facts and figures, to ask him if he is aware with this embarrassment or not, then from there we will take action. Let Nigerians be patience with us.
This is a national issue, it affects all Nigerians in respect of party, tribe or religion.”
Recall however, that the N27.5trn ‘Renewed Hope’ budget for 2024 passed second reading at the Senate.
It has since been referred to the Committee on Appropriations after a voice vote by the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, who presided over the session.
The Committee is Chaired by Senator Solomon Adeola (APC Ogun West).
In his response Senator Patrick Ndubueze (Imo North) said “I don’t have the knowledge of such a report or rumor. Until they bring it to our knowledge we can now know the truth.
“I heard the northern Senators hired a consultant to look into the budget. But we have not done that. The Igbos or Southeast has not done so. So, if they comment is because they have a consultant, or a consultant-review of the budget
For us we don’t have a consultant and we have not reviewed the budget yet.”
