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Tag: Senate

  • ESEME EYIBOH: Akpabio’s audacious call for ceasefire in Gaza

    ESEME EYIBOH: Akpabio’s audacious call for ceasefire in Gaza

    By Eseme Eyiboh

    President of Nigeria’s Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, CON has in faraway Geneva, Switzerland at the ongoing 148th Session of the International Parliamentary Union (IPU) taken the bull by the horns when in an audacious display of depth and the Nigerian spirit called for action towards an enduring ceasefire and peace in Gaza. Akpabio was unequivocal in declaring that the time to end the carnage in Gaza is now and all hands must be on the deck.

    According to the President of the Senate, there is time for everything and the present circumstances demand all nations to rise above sentiments and invoke the spirit of humanity, by doing all it requires to bring sustainable peace to the region.

    Akpabio, whose contributions evoked a whirlwind of emotions at the session, attracted comments from a wide spectrum of the global community. As the head of Nigerian delegation, which included the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu and other lawmakers from both the Senate and House of Representatives, Akpabio unequivocally spoke with clarity of mind and certain terms, setting the tone for robust and fruitful deliberations on the war in Gaza, which has so far left children and women killed, shelling of more than two-thirds of Northern Gaza and annihilation of the entire population.

    This contribution has brought out the best of humanity in Senator Akpabio; his milk of kindness and compassion was brought to bare as he sought for the return of humanitarian aid, and restoration of normal life to Gaza, as well as meetings on a permanent truce.

    Akpabio’s presentation at the IPU is a testimony to the fact that Nigeria has regained her voice in the comity of nations and is poised to take her pride of place as the giant of Africa. The era of playing second fiddle and being muzzled by smaller nations on the continent is effectively over, courtesy of the ostentatious, courageous and purposeful leadership exemplified in the ilks of the Akpabios.

    His presentation was awe-inspiring words and like John the Baptist, the voice of one nation crying in the wilderness that the world should rise up and take a proactive decision. He said “Madam President, this is a lone voice from Nigeria. We tried our best in Angola and we failed to lend a collective voice to what is happening in Gaza. Today, the world is very expectant. We must drop our ego. It has nothing to do with which country brings the proposal. The basic tenets of humanity demands that we leave here with a resolution for the rest of the world, to show that we have human feelings in us.

    “The issues are very clear. If you notice the proposal for 12 blocs; they attempted to even marry the proposals from South Africa. Yes! South Africa has a right to be emotional, but we have children who are dying even as we are talking now. We have people who do not have water to drink even as we are talking now. We have people who are going to suffer infection from gunshots”.

    Hitting the nail on the head, the leader of the Nigerian delegation submitted that humanity must not be lost on the altar of emotions. Humanity must be expressed, demonstrated and its impact felt. According to Akpabio, “We have to show the world that we are human beings. The cessation of hostilities must be a part of our resolutions. Access to humanitarian aid must be a part of our resolutions. At the same time, release of hostages and even those who are Prisoners of War, because if both sides take steps in releasing the hostages, releasing the Prisoners of War, it means that both sides have agreed that the International Community can go to the next stage, which is negotiation for sustainable peace.

    “If they cannot agree, I would urge that from here, we have a three-man drafting committee to come up with those resolutions which we must make before we leave here. We can no longer allow a child to die tonight, without lending our voice. It doesn’t matter which side. We are all parents. If we come here to look for ego and then try to be emotional, it’s not affecting them.

    “Nothing is affecting Denmark, there’s nothing affecting South Africa. The people affected are over there and nobody will agree to the lone resolution from Israel. It must be all-encompassing, so that we stand up from here as human beings. That would be my plea.

    “Let them go aside, meet and remove those vexatious items. In the course of their discussions, we can have amendments, we can add items that we should add but we must discuss the Gaza issue in this 148th IPU Assembly. That is my position,” he declared.

    This is incisive and denotative. It means Nigeria is no longer playing at the periphery but in the mainstream of global legislative politics and it must be heard loud and clear. As the 148th Session of the IPU comes to a close, delegates from the member nations would depart with an indelible message, the call by Senator Godswill Akpabio that sanity must return to Gaza.

    Rt. Hon Eseme Eyiboh is the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity and the official Spokesperson to the President of the Senate.

  • USORO USORO: Parliamentary Diplomacy: Akpabio takes Nigeria to world stage at IPU

    USORO USORO: Parliamentary Diplomacy: Akpabio takes Nigeria to world stage at IPU

    By Usoro I. Usoro

    The diplomatic tree Nigeria planted late last year is already yielding fruits. In October, 2023, at the 147th meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Nigeria’s Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, was elected into the executive committee of the body. Few months after, Nigeria has become a strong voice no longer ignored!

    For 59 years, Nigeria’s legislative contributions to global development were stifled. But Akpabio’s 10th National Assembly is gradually changing the narrative. For instance, at the 148th Assembly of IPU in Geneva, Switzerland, Nigeria shone like a diamond, making globally-acclaimed submissions that have formed the working documents for the union.

    It is commendable that Akpabio, as the leader of the his country’s delegation, effortlessly sold Nigeria to the world as a nation built on strong human values. Love, truth, right conduct, peace and non-violence form the core of those moral principles. The IPU conference primarily focused on world peace and how to manage global conflicts. Gratifyingly, Akpabio’s call for nations to “drop ego” and act “with humane feelings” that could uplift global citizenship sunk deep and drew loud, intermittent, ovations.

    Akpabio successfully presented Nigeria as a country led by the humanitarians. While regretting the misadventures in Angola, Gaza and other conflict zones, which the global leaders failed to speak as a voice against, Akpabio charged IPU to consider the children, the aged and other vulnerable persons dying daily, there. “We have children who are dying, even as we are talking now;…we have people who cannot see water to drink even as we are talking now; we have those who are going to suffer from infections…We have to show the world that we are human beings…” he charged.

    For Akpabio and the Nigerian team, a conference of such magnitude should not end as a jamboree without a concrete stand on key global issues. Hence, escalating conflicts and wars with their devastating effects on humans must be approached with unanimity of purpose and commitment towards world peace. Aside pushing for the release of hostages and mutual release of prisoners of war (POW), Akpabio urged that: “Cessation of hostilities must be part of our resolutions. Access to humanitarian aides must be part of our resolution…”

    Only a humanist can stand in the gap for those he does not know. Clearly, Akpabio’s call for the world to “walk together, hand-in-hand even if we do not see eye-to-eye, in our march to reshape our world”, portends of a humane society that has taken years to build.

    Global efforts towards peace are always desirable but sincerity has often been its bane. The other problem has been the bloated ego of some countries, who see others as second and third class nations. Akpabio’s bold and direct contributions therefore served as a stimulant for quicker altruistic actions.

    With the five-star outing at the world stage, Akpabio has not only justified his headship of Nigeria’s legislature but also his election into the IPU executive committee.
    With his sterling contributions at the 148th Assembly, Akpabio has properly positioned Nigeria on global stage for more respect and positive engagements.

    IPU is strategically programmed for parliamentary diplomacy. Lawmakers, across the world, are expected to engage there in discussions, negotiations, and collaborations on various global issues, including conflict management, human rights, and sustainable development. Through this platform, countries are expected to build trust, facilitate mutual understanding, and work towards common goals, ultimately contributing to a more peaceful and stable world. Drawing from their workable individual experiences, nations could then guide the IPU towards borrowing ideas to implement in other similar circumstances.

    Akpabio was therefore in sync when he recounted the myriad of successes Nigeria has made through internal parliamentary diplomacy. Through dialogue and some strategic legislations, Akpabio regaled the IPU with tales of Nigeria’s achievements in conflicts management. He narrated how Nigeria’s Parliament, particularly under his leadership, “employs mediation to address conflicts between non-governmental organisations and the government, as well as disputes involving labour unions.”

    Because Akpabio drew from laudable practical and empirical experiences, it was easy for other nations to accept his submission on the imperative for the world to recognise the power of the collective voice in shaping a better future for all. His words: “We stand at a pivotal moment in history, an intersection where the choices we make and the words that we speak, have the potential to positively shape the future of a world in constant crisis. Therefore, we lend the voice of our country to the patriotic call for collective action to address the challenges facing our wonderful world”.

    Despite Nigeria’s ethnic plurality and cultural diversity, with the potential for discordant interests, Akpabio felt excited to inform the IPU assembly that, “the (Nigerian) government, with the support of the Parliament, has embarked on efforts to strengthen peace, collaboration, and unity”.

    Hence, since the specter of polarization along political, ethnic, gender, religious, or racial lines is a global menace, his submission was that it would make sense to adopt the Nigerian model for sustainable peace. “In Nigeria, our Parliament plays a crucial role in curbing polarization and ensuring peace and progress through legislation,” he said. One notable legislative milestone, recalled the Senate President, was the passage of the “Not Too Young to Run” Bill in 2018, towards widening the horizon for youth and women to actively participate in governance.

    Aside Nigeria’s contribution to international peace through deployment of troops for peacekeeping missions across Africa and beyond, Akpabio spoke of Nigeria’s “significant role in conflict prevention and resolution through regional parliamentary forums, fact-finding missions to conflict areas, and addressing cross-border issues related to refugees, arms smuggling, and war-related criminal activities.”

    He also pointed at the establishment of the National Center for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons as a demonstration of Nigeria’s commitment to combating insecurity by curbing the circulation of illicit arms in West Africa,” among others.

    Arising from Nigeria’s experience, his voice rose a decibel when he cautioned on efforts to uphold international commitments, promoting peace-building, and holding the government accountable. Indeed, the theme of humanitarianism, as espoused by Nigeria’s Senate President linked to Martin Luther King, Jr’s admonition that, “all mankind is tied together; all life is interrelated, and we are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of identity. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly”.

    * Dr Usoro, a journalist, author and socio-political philosopher, wrote from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

  • What Senate told Service Chiefs over killing of soldiers in Delta

    What Senate told Service Chiefs over killing of soldiers in Delta

    The Senate Joint Committee on Defence, Army, Navy and Airforce on Wednesday in Abuja met with the Service Chiefs over the killing of 16 soldiers in Okuoma Community in Delta.

    The meeting observed a minute silence in honour of the late 16 soldiers before going into a close door session.

    Speaking, Sen. Ahmad Lawan, the Chairman of the Committee, condemned the killing of the soldiers.

    “The troops of 181 Amphibious battalion, on Thursday, 14 March, 2024, went on a peace mission to Okuoma Community in Delta.

    “The troops on the peace mission to Okuoma community in Bomadi local government area of Delta State were surrounded by some community youths, which resulted in the death of officers and men.

    “Acknowledging the gravity of the attack on the military personnel, the Senate at its plenary on Tuesday, March, 19, mandated the Joint Committee on Defence, Army, Navy and Airforce to investigate the incident.

    “The Senate also urged the federal government to ensure that those responsible for the heinous crime are identified, apprehended and brought to justice,” he said.

    Lawan added: “We in the Senate and indeed, the National Assembly, will always support our military in whatever way we can, the National Assembly has that history.

    “We try to at all times make meaningful appropriation for resources to be available.

    “We know it has never been enough and, in fact, I will take this opportunity to commend our Armed Forces for doing so much with the little we can afford.

    “The insecurity in our country takes precedence over any other consideration and, therefore, it is the position of the Senate that no investment in any sector can be more important than ensuring that we are secured as a country.”

    “We therefore, are very sad as a parliament over this tragic incident. It is our hope in the Senate that those who perpetrated this barbaric and horrific act are captured and the law takes full course on them.

    “I want to appeal to Nigerians that this is our Armed Forces and they cannot secure us without us as citizens playing our part. Therefore, every citizen is supposed to support our Armed Forces.

    “And those in the area where this incident happened must volunteer information because this is the only way we can stop something like this from happening another time”.

  • BREAKING: Senate passes Student Loan bill 2024

    BREAKING: Senate passes Student Loan bill 2024

    The Senate has passed the Student Loans Access to Higher Education) Act (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill, 2024.

    The senate’s resolution followed its consideration of the report of the senate committee on tertiary institutions and TETFUND.

    The chairman of the committee, Senator Muntari Dandutse presented the report during plenary.

    Last week, President Bola Tinubu transmitted the Bill to the National Assembly for its consideration and passage.

    The Upper Legislative chamber had given the Bill an accelerated hearing by suspending relevant sections of its standing rules and referred the Bill to the Committee of the Whole for consideration.

    After debate on the Bill, Senate President Godswill Akpabio referred the Bill to the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND for further legislative work and to report back in one week.

    The Bill seeks to provide easy access to higher education for indigent Nigerians through interest-free loans from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund established in the Act to provide education for all Nigerians.

    The senate’s resolution followed its consideration of the report of the senate committee on tertiary institutions and TETFUND.

    The chairman of the committee, Senator Muntari Dandutse presented the report during plenary.

    Last week, President Bola Tinubu had transmitted the Bill to the National Assembly for its consideration and passage.

    The Upper Legislative chamber had given the Bill an accelerated hearing by suspending relevant sections of its standing rules and referred the Bill to the Committee of the Whole for consideration.

    After debate on the Bill, Senate President Godswill Akpabio referred the Bill to the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND for further legislative work and to report back in one week.

    The Bill seeks to provide easy access to higher education for indigent Nigerians through interest-free loans from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund established in the Act to provide education for all Nigerians.

  • Okuama crisis: Set up panel to unearth perpetrators, Dafinone tells FG

    Okuama crisis: Set up panel to unearth perpetrators, Dafinone tells FG

    …. calls for calm over death of soldiers, youths

    The Senator Representing Delta Central Senatoral District, Senator Ede Dafinone, has called on the dramatis personnae involved in the ongoing carnage at Okuama Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area to sheath their swords for the sake of humanity.

    The Delta Central lawmaker also called on the State and Federal Government to urgently intervene to de-escalate the criss which according to available reports has allegedly claimed more than 18 lives including that of soldiers.

    Recall that the leadership of Okuama Community had raised alarm of alleged military invasion of their community on Thursday, March 14th, 2024 following a land dispute with neighboring community of Okoloba in Bomadi local government area which led to the death of three young men, with women and children displaced, and with many building razed down.

    Meanwhile, the Nigerian army in a press statement signed by Acting Director, Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, alleged that Commanding officer, two Majors, one Captain and 12 Soldiers, who went on a peace mission were killed by Okuama people

    Senator Dafinone while reacting to the report on the death of the soldiers, 3 Okuama community’s youths, and the alleged burning down of properties in Okuama Community, described the incident as very unfortunate.

    While sympathizing with the military authority over the loss of their men, called on them to observe the military rules of engagement while dealing with civilians.

    He also called on the leaders and the people of Okuama to remain calm, urging the federal and state government to expedite action to arrest the ugly situation from degenerating into another humanitarian crisis.

    According to Senator Dafinone, “I want to appeal for calm by the waring factions in the unfortunate incident that occurred in Okuama Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State on Thursday and Friday leading to the needless death of about 18 persons including soldiers.

    “The federal government must as a matter of urgency set up a high power independent panel to investigate the remote causes of this crisis, in order to bring whoever that may be involved in the killing of Nigerian civilians and soldiers to be brought to book.

    “I wish to appeal to the authority of the Nigerian army to act discreetly in this situation , that they should not allow their emotions take better part of their professional judgement by toning down their operations and observed the rules of engagement while dealing with civilians at Okuama.

    “I also wish to call on our people in Okuama to shun any act of violence that could further escalate this crisis, which could have been avoided if both parties allowed reason to prevail.

    The National Emergency Management Agency, should also reach out land provide relief materials to the people of Okuama, many of whom have been rendered homeless and are now living in surrounding bushes.”

  • Akpabio cannot resign, call morally reprehensible-Senate spokesman

    Akpabio cannot resign, call morally reprehensible-Senate spokesman

    Spokesman to the Senate, Senator Yemi Adaramodu has slammed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for calling for the resignation of Senator Akpabio over the unfounded claim of N3.7trn budget padding allegations by the suspended Senator representing Bauchi Central, Abdul Ningi.

    Adaramodu in a reaction on Thursday, as Chairman Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs declared that “The PDP has elevated chicanery to statecraft and fatally failed in their sordid attempt to hoodwink the unsuspecting public, on the ineffectual but spurious allegations of budget padding. The party’s ludicrous call for the resignation of Senator Godswill Akpabio as the Senate President is unthinkable and shows the party as a massaging balm for falsehood and immoral Legislative outbursts.

    He stated that Akpabio will not resign and has no intention to resign at any time because he has not committed any wrong doing to warrant a
    resignation”.

    According to him, it is shocking that the PDP leadership could not comprehend what transpired at Tuesday’s plenary where the allegations were debated and Senator Abdul Ningi,who was given the ample opportunity to defend himself and prove the budget padding allegations was suspended after he failed to substantiate his claims in the full glare of the public.

    He said “Contrary to the contention by the PDP that N3.7 trillion was discreetly inserted into the 2024 budget for alleged non-existent projects, and what transpired on the floor of the Chamber, it is open knowledge that no such absurdity is found in the budget passed by the National Assembly and signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which is being implemented judiciously by the Federal government. Perhaps, the N3.7trn being mentioned in the PDP’s shocking statement exists only in the fickle minds of its purveyors and serves as a dubious version of the budget generated by PDP’s ‘unidentified political flying objects’.

    Senator Adaramodu said the Senate did not in any way violate the constitution or its standing Rules and Orders, in not referring the matter to a relevant committee but the decision to take the issue in the Committee of the Whole was for transparency and fairness; and to afford the public the opportunity to follow the proceedings and have a value judgement as to who was lying to the nation. Albeit, it is the constitutional responsibility of the Senate to vary and determine its internal rules, as deem fit.

    According to him, contrary to the unspeakable grandstanding, Senator Ningi was never intimidated nor harassed, neither was he gagged nor denied the privilege to exercise his right of reply as the senator was given ample opportunity to defend himself. But the whole world saw how he floundered, since he had no verifiable facts to substantiate his allegations and his futile efforts to defend lies.

    “So, the decision to debate the matter in the Committee of the Whole was in sync with the resolve of the leadership of the 10th Senate under Senator Akpabio to stand for transparency, justice and fairness.

    “The proceedings of the plenary were transmitted live by at least five popular national television stations, making all right thinking people to wonder the basis on which the PDP is questioning the process. The PDP expected the Senate to sweep the unfounded allegations under the carpet but the 10th Senate under the leadership of Senate President Akpabio has zero tolerance for corruption, insipid lies and egregious falsehood such as the N3.7trn budget padding allegations and could not have conducted the investigation in the closet as suggested by the PDP”

    Making the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio the fruit to receive the stones is curious, the Senate and the House of Representatives made the Appropriations law,hence the suspended Senator disparaged and impugned on the social, political and Legislative integrity of all.

    “No amount of lies and fake allegations will distract the 10th Senate, under Senator Godswill Akpabio, from delivering good legislation and effective oversight for which Nigerians elected us for” Adaramodu concluded.

    Senator Yemi Adaramodu
    Chairman Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs and Official Spokesperson for the Senate

  • JUST IN: New student loan bill scales 2nd reading in Senate

    JUST IN: New student loan bill scales 2nd reading in Senate

    The Senate at plenary on Thursday passed for second reading, a bill to repeal and enact the Students Loan Access to Higher Education Act, 2024.

    The bill was sponsored by Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele (APC-Ekiti).

    Senate President Godswill Akpabio, had read a letter from President Bola Tinubu, transmitting the bill to the Senate for consideration and passage.

    Following this, the bill was read and passed first reading, and consequently second reading after debate.

    Leading debate on the bill, Bamidele said it sought to enhance the implementation of the higher education loan scheme, by addressing challenges relating to management structure of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELF).

    He said the bill would also address applicant’s eligibility requirements, purpose of loan, funding sources and disbursement.

    Bamidele said the bill also had the objectives to provide loans to qualified Nigerians to pay tuition, charges and upkeep during their course of study in approved tertiary education institutions, vocational and skills acquisition institutions in Nigeria.

    According to him, the bill will help to build, operate and maintain a diversified pool of funds to provide loans to qualified applicants and ensure access to higher education, vocational training and skills acquisition.

    He said the bill would help to ensure the recovery of all debts due to the fund from loans granted to qualified applicants, except where the board is of the opinion that a loanee should be exempted from repayment.

    He said this would be in the event of death, considerations of hardship and impossibility or undue difficulty to repay the loan.

    He appealed to the lawmakers to give the bill expeditious passage because of its strategic importance to manpower development, in line with the policy thrust of the Tinubu’s administration.

    Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Barau Jibrin (APC-Kano) said President Tinubu had signed the bill when he assumed office, adding that the president brought the principal act back for amendment.

    This, he said, was to ensure easy execution and give opportunity to indigent students who wanted to be educated but did not have the wherewithal.

    Barau said the bill would provide finance and allow them access to finance for their education and be educated.

    “No other president has shown a passion to help advance our tertiary educational system like President Tinubu.

    “Let us give him all the necessary encouragement to make sure that this bill succeeds and he implements it.

    “We commend him for continuing on this trajectory until he takes our tertiary educational system to the next stage,” Barau said.

    The bill, after it passed second reading, was referred to Committee on Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for further legislative inputs and report back to plenary on the next legislative date.

  • After alleged ‘Ningi’s civilian coup: Northern Senators Forum gets new chairman

    After alleged ‘Ningi’s civilian coup: Northern Senators Forum gets new chairman

    After alleged ‘Ningi’s civilian coup’, Northern Senators Forum has elected Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua as Chairman after the resignation of suspended Senator Abdul Ningi.

    Yar’Adua who’s an APC member is the senator representing Katsina central senatorial district.

    TNG recalls that Senator Opeyemi Bamidele on the floor of the Senate had openly pointed the accusation finger at some Senators who were still angry with the emergence of Godswill Akpabio last June, describing the budget padding matter as a civilian coup targeted at the Senate President.

    Bamidele had maintained that Ningi was playing a script written by few Senators, who were still hurting from the loss of the Senate leadership elections.

    The Senate leader stated this while contributing to debate on the floor of the Senate over the allegations by Ningi that the 2024 budget was padded with the sum of three trillion. He noted further that the attempt to take over the Senate’s leadership beyond June 13, 2023, must come to an end.

    Reacting to allegations of budget padding levelled against the President of the Senate by Senator Ningi, Bamidele said ” Over 60 Senators voted for Akpabio, and over 40 voted against him. That’s the will of the majority. But a few have refused to let the electioneering activities pass them by. They still hold bile, and that is why it is always about Akpabio, never about the Senate, never about the House of Representatives, the Director General of Budget.

    “All of us passed this budget, and it was never about Mr President who signed this budget. It is always about Akpabio. We have momentum; this is a defining moment for all of us to say if we are going to have a stable Senate.

    Bamidele’s narrative finally paved the way for Senator Abdul Ningi’s three months suspension and as a gentleman, he honorably stepped aside as the Chairman of Northern Senators Forum.

    The main opposition party in Nigeria the PDP has called for a thorough investigation of the allegations of a padded 2024 budget.

  • Budget padding saga: Ndume reveals how much senior Senators, floor members received for constituency projects

    Budget padding saga: Ndume reveals how much senior Senators, floor members received for constituency projects

    Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Ali Ndume has revealed how much senior Senators and floor members of the Nigerian Senate received for constituency projects.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Senate has been rocked following allegations by Senator Abdul Ningi that the 2024 budget was padded and that approved projects were skewed to favour sections of the country.

    As the Senate was being rattled by Ningi’s allegation, Senator Jarigbe Agom-Jarigbe claimed that some Senators got N500 million each from the 2024 budget for constituency projects.

    Responding to the claims, Senator Ndume confirmed that some principal officers in the 10th National Assembly did receive more than the N200 million allocation for constituency projects in the 2024 Appropriation Act.

    Asked when he featured in Channels TV’s Politics Today on Wednesday whether the claim by Agom-Jarigbe was true, Ndume said:

    “It’s disparity now, we are not the same; all animals are equal but some are more equal than the other. That’s what the case is. They have agreed to that.

    “All the Senators have N200 million (each) as their constituency projects but I am a leader. That is the difference. 10 of us are leaders including those in the opposition. We get more than the floor members. It’s normal.

    “That decision is taken by the Senators. We have the Senate Budget Committee before but now the floor members entrusted that to the presiding officers. That’s the difference. So, most of the Senators don’t know what I get and I will not tell you.”

    He contended that in the United States as well, discretionary powers are granted for constituency projects.

    “Right now, Democrats have the majority, so they have more. In the Senate, we are very nice to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senators despite the fact they didn’t treat us the same,” Ndume said.

    Speaking further, the Senate Chief Whip said Ningi was trying to make 2024 projects an ethnic and political issue.

    “I sat next to the Senate Leader (Opeyemi Bamidele), he was very angry of what Ningi did, but honestly me too, what he (Ningi) did was wrong because I was involved,” Ndume said.

    “In the first instance, it started when they said capital project was skewed to the South.

    “The total in that budget that was brought before us by the President was not up to N9 trillion, it was N8.9 trillion and they are talking of skewed capital project to the South and the total adding up to N15 trillion.

    “That N15 trillion is strange, even with the amendment that we made, the capital component of this budget is not up to that.”

    Ndume disclosed that when Ningi first presented the case to him, he told him to provide evidence but that he could not.

    He insisted that as a senior member of the Senate, he can attest to the fact that the North was not shortchanged by the South in the 2024 budget as claimed by Ningi.

  • Bauchi gov, Mohammed throws weight behind Ningi, says his integrity is praiseworthy

    Bauchi gov, Mohammed throws weight behind Ningi, says his integrity is praiseworthy

    Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, on Wednesday, declared support for suspended Senator Abdul Ningi, saying his integrity is praiseworthy.

    Mohammed, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as Ningi said “made it clear that I stand firm in our support for Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi of Bauchi Central”.

    According to a post on X (formerly Twitter), the governor made this known at the Bauchi State Executive Council meeting.

    “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,” the post read.

    In an interview, Ningi had claimed that the Federal Government is operating two versions of the 2024 budget and that the N28.7 trillion Budget passed and signed into law by President Bola Tinubu was skewed against the North.

    Many Senators and the Presidency pounced on Ningi, describing his claims as “far-fetched and unbecoming of a leader of his status”.

    Ningi would later deny saying that the country is operating two budgets but insisted that only N25trn of the budget was tied to projects while N3.7trn had no project tied to it.

    The embattled lawmaker subsequently resigned as the Chairman of the Northern Senators’ Forum, even as he was suspended by his colleagues in the red chamber for three months.