I Never Said 2024 Budget Was Padded – Senator Ningi

Senator Abdul Ningi, representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, has denied allegations attributed to him in the media regarding the padding of the 2024 budget, saying that he never said the budget was padded.

Senate on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, suspended Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) for three months after alleging the 2024 budget was padded with N3 trillion.

Speaking during an open session in the Senate on Tuesday, the former chairman of the Northern Senators Forum clarified his position, refuting claims that he accused the National Assembly of padding the new budget with a substantial sum of N3 trillion.

The lawmaker categorically denied making such statements, emphasising that his words were misrepresented.

He said: “I have never said somebody was blinded. Secondly, I have never said the budget was padded.

“Let me concur with about 80 percent of the translation read out by Senator Yayi. I think they have done a fair job, except on some issues they could not understand.”

Senator Ningi underscored the misinterpretation of his remarks, emphasising that certain elements had distorted his statements.

He added: “The beginning of this brouhaha started with this text. Senator Abdu Ningi is purported to be the author of this document. Let me, for the avoidance of doubt, say that I have never issued a statement of this nature to anybody anywhere and anytime.”

The senator underscored the misinterpretation of his remarks, stating that certain elements had distorted his statements.

“Let me for the avoidance of doubt, I have never issued a statement of this nature to anybody anywhere and anytime,” he affirmed.