- In the interview on Friday, Ningi claimed that N3.7tn was not allocated to specific projects in the 2024 budget
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has firmly backed Senator Abdul Ningi, who was recently suspended by the Senate for three months.
Ningi, the representative for Bauchi Central, also relinquished his role as Chairman of the Northern Senators’ Forum.
His suspension came after a debate on a BBC interview where he alleged that the National Assembly padded the 2024 N28.7tn budget. In the interview, Ningi stated that N3.7tn was not allocated to specific projects in the 2024 budget.
He stated, “For the first time in Nigerian history, today we are operating two different budgets. One budget was approved by the National Assembly and signed by President Bola Tinubu and the one was implemented by the presidency.
“The one approved by us is N25tn while the one operating by the Federal Government is ₦28tn.
In the interview on Friday, Ningi claimed that N3.7tn was not allocated to specific projects in the 2024 budget.
Furthermore, during a press briefing on Monday, the senator reiterated the accusation and expressed no fear of being suspended.
The Bauchi State Governor, however, expressed his support for the lawmaker.
“In today’s State Executive Council meeting, I made it clear that I stand firm in our support for Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi, of Bauchi Central,” Mohammed wrote on his official X account on Monday.
He added, “I emphasised the importance of preserving dissent within our political landscape without resorting to punitive actions.
“I am committed to examining Senator Ningi’s situation further. It is common knowledge that Senator Ningi is one of the best performing senators whose heritage and uprightness, ancestry and integrity are worthy of praise.”