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Tag: Senate

  • Peter Obi reacts over alleged padding of 2024 budget

    Peter Obi reacts over alleged padding of 2024 budget

    Following budget padding scandal rocking the upper Chambers, Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, Mr Peter Obi, has said Senate’s reaction of suspending the whistle-blower has not addressed vital issues emanating from the allegation.

    According to Obi in his claims and counter-claims over the alleged N3trillion which was padded into the 2024 budget, requires proper explanation as to what Nigerians must need to know regarding management of the nation’s.

    In a communique shared via X, the LP presidential candidate said the fuss over the alleged N3 trillion padded into the 2024 budget raised by a Senator still rages as the Senate’s reaction of suspending the whistle-blower has not addressed vital issues emanating from the allegation.

    “The Senator is insisting on his allegation and the Executive agreed that there was only N1.2trillion padded not N3trillion as alleged by the Senator. Fresh allegations have also cropped up over indiscriminate and unbalanced allocation of constituency projects by the Senate leadership.”

    The Senate under the leadership of Senate President Godswill Akpabio had on Tuesday suspended Senator Abdul Ningi over allegations of N3.7trn padding of the 2024 Budget.

    Ningi, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Bauchi Central Senatorial District, was suspended for three months after a long stormy session in the red chamber.

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

     

  • Senate explains alleged N3trn 2024 budget padding

    Senate explains alleged N3trn 2024 budget padding

    Senate on Tuesday explained that the N3 trillion alleged to be padded in the 2024 budget was actually statutory transfers to first line charge agencies of government not domiciled in the ministries.

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Publicity Sen.Yemi Adaramodu gave the explanation, while speaking with journalists on the suspension of Sen. Abdul Ningi over alleged padding of 2024 budget.

    Adaramodu said the 10th Senate needed to be treasured as pillar of democracy and would only do what would promote national interest

    He said there was nothing like budget padding ,saying that the false narrative on N3 trillion padding was a demonstration of error of arithmetic and innocent of procedure by the protagonists of budget padding.

    “The N3 trillion is for statutory transfers of government agencies on the first lines charges.”

    He listed the agencies to include Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC)Public Complaints Commission, National Judicial Council, North East Development(NEDC), Commission Niger -Delta Development Commission Commission(NDDC) among others.

    He also dismissed the issue of provision of N500 million as constituency fund to senators, describing the allegation as a ferry tale.

    He urged journalists to study the 2024 budget to investigate allocations to the National Assembly.

    He said the issue of budget padding was a negative connotation and a serious crime in budgeting, hence the Senate didn’t take it lightly.

    “It is a matter of integrity, issue of budget has been put to rest as the protagonist of the budget padding were called to substantiate and they could not prove it but the allegations can not just go without been attended to.

    “The Appropriation Act is a public document and when it was done,it was done in the public glare and it was N28.77 trillion and so for some to say N25 trillion was what was approved is scary.

    “Statutory transfers for agencies on first line charges, that are not domiciled in the Ministries was what Ningi said was padded, that the allocation can not be traced.”

    He reiterated that the N3trillion was not padded, was not missing, but was for agencies of government that were placed on first line charge.

    He also said the allegation that a section of the country was allocated more funds than other regions was not put in right perspective, saying that allocations was done sectorally.

    The Senate image maker said the integrity of the National Assembly was in question, hence the matter was treated with the seriousness it deserved.

  • Senator Ningi resigns as Chairman of Northern Senators’ Forum

    Senator Ningi resigns as Chairman of Northern Senators’ Forum

    Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP-Bauchi), who was suspended for three months for alleging that the 2024 budget was padded to the tune of N3 trillion has resigned as Chairman, Northern Senators’ Forum (NSF).

    Ningi, in a letter addressed to the Secretary of NSF on Tuesday in Abuja said:

    “I will like to resign my position as Chairman Northern Senators’ Forum.

    “This is of course necessitated by the unfolding events in the National Assembly, the North and the nation at large.

    “I will like to specially thank  members of the forum for the opportunity given to me for the last eight months to spearhead this very important forum.

    “I believe this forum is very important and fundamental to the progress and development of Northern Nigeria”.

  • Budget padding: Real reason Senate suspended Abdul Ningi

    Budget padding: Real reason Senate suspended Abdul Ningi

    The Senate on Tuesday suspended Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP-Bauchi) for three months from all activities over 2024 Budget padding allegation.

    The upper chamber’s resolution was sequel to a motion by Sen. Solomon Adeola (APC-Ogun) during plenary.

    The motion was titled: “Urgent Need to Address the False Allegations Against the Senate and the Presidency on the 2024 Appropriation Act by Sen. Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central).”

    The BBC Hausa Service had reported Ningi as  said that

    President Bola Tinubu was operating two different budgets for 2024.

    It said Ningi had claimed that the National Assembly passed N25 trillion as 2024 budget and not the N28.7 trillion that was being implemented by the Federal Government.

    The initial prayers of the upper chamber was “allow for immediate deliberation of the matter and take appropriate action deemed fit in the overriding public interest and to prevent breakdown of law and order.

    “Take further necessary steps to correct the wrong impression in the public domain of the 2024 budget created by the BBC interview and other national media houses and social media platforms by Sen. Ningi.

    “And amplified by Sen. Suleiman Kawu (NNPP-Kano) through his facebook account and other social media platforms; and

    “Take any further decision as the Senate deems fit and proper to safeguard the integrity of the 2024 Budget which is pivotal to the revamping of our economy.”

    Sen. Jimoh Ibrahim (APC-Ondo) had moved for an additional prayer that Ningi be suspended for an initial period of 12 months while Sen. Edeh Dafinone (APC-Delta) seconded.

    But, Sen. Garba Maidoki (PDP-Kebbi) moved a motion for an amended prayer that the suspension should be for three months which was seconded by Sen. Sani Musa (APC-Niger).

    Earlier, moving the motion, Adeola as Chairman Senate Committee on Appropriation, said that the additional increase of N1.2 trillion was presented by the President during the appropriation process.

    “This was through additional funding requests.

    “The additional source of funding for the increase came from the increase in the benchmark of naira to dollar from N750-N800, increase in Government Owned Enterprises (GOEs) revenue and other sources.

    “The false allegations including that of the 2024 Budget being against the “North” has since generated debate in the media and general public with aspersions on all senators, the Senate and the National Assembly.”

    In his own defence, Ningi  said, “I think Sen. Adeola has done a fair job except on some issues that I do not understand. I never said the budget was padded.

    “I never issued any of these statements. This is a fake contribution that was forwarded, I do not know the author of this,” Ningi told the Senate.

    In his contribution, Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele said what Ningi had set to do “was tantamount to a civilian coup.”

    Earlier, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio said that “Ningi told me he had paid the consultant N30 million to conduct the investigation.

    “Ningi called some of us for a meeting. When he told me this, I told him I would like to see the details.

    “But I didn’t receive it, but you had the opportunity to attend a BBC interview. It’s only you that has the document you have. I don’t have it.

    “I want Nigerians to know that what President Bola Tinubu presented to the National Assembly was N27.5 trillion, at no time did the President present N25 trillion.

    “The integrity of this Chamber has been totally damaged,” he said.

  • BREAKING: Senator Ningi suspended over allegation of budget padding

    BREAKING: Senator Ningi suspended over allegation of budget padding

    The Nigerian Senate has suspended Senator Abdul Ningi, the Senator representing Bauchi Central for 3 months.

    Senator Ningi was suspended over an interview he granted the Hausa service of the BBC where he claimed the 2024 budget was padded by over N3 trillion.

    The BBC Hausa Service reported that Ningi claimed the National Assembly passed N25 trillion as 2024 budget and not the N28.7 trillion that was being implemented by the Federal Government.

    It said Ningi spoke under the banner of Northern Senators’ Forum.

    Speaking under the banner of northern Senators he accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of inserting projects worth N4 trillion in the 2024 budget.

    He alleged that the projects, which had no locations, were inserted into the budget, which he also claimed was lopsided against the North and some parts of the South.

    The northern senators also accused Akpabio of railroading the senators to hurriedly pass the budget, adding that it favoured Akpabio and his cronies.

    However, Ningi has since denied making such allegations.

    During plenary on Tuesday, Senator Olamilekan Adeola (APC, Ogun West) raised a motion that there is urgent need to address the false allegations by Ningi.

    Adeola, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, then read the transcript of Ningi’s Hausa BBC interview on the floor of the house after Akpabio called for a committee of the whole.

    Senator Jimoh Ibrahim then moved for the suspension of Ningi for 12 months.

    The session became heated with Majority of the Senators clamoring that it should be reduced to 3 months.

     

    Details shortly…

  • Breaking! Senate in rowdy session over Senator Ningi’s budget padding allegation

    Breaking! Senate in rowdy session over Senator Ningi’s budget padding allegation

    The Senate on Tuesday afternoon got involved   in a rowdy session over the budget padding allegation levelled against it.

    Recall Abdul Ningi a senator representing Bauchi Central had recently accused the Senate of padding the budget to the tune of N3.7 trillion.

    Ningi, who is the Chairman of Northern Senators’ Forum, had alleged that the National Assembly debated and passed N25 trillion as 2024 budget and not the N28.7 trillion that is being implemented by the Federal Government.

    He made the allegation while speaking in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service.

    Condemning the remark, Akpabio challenged Ningi to apologize for denting the image of the Senate.

    However, the Senate went into a rowdy session while the matter was being deliberated upon.

  • Nigeria’s Senate President, Akpabio, nominated into Cttee for world conference of Speakers of Parliament

    Nigeria’s Senate President, Akpabio, nominated into Cttee for world conference of Speakers of Parliament

    …and three others

    Nigeria’s Senate President Godswill Akpabio is on the march again, was nominated into Commttee for world conference of Speakers of Parliament, alongside three others.

    This was contained in a statement issued by his media office stating that:

    “Like a gold fish with no hiding place, Nigeria’s President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has been designated to be in the Preparatory Committee for the 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament.

    According to a statement issued by the General Secretary of the African Parliamentary Union (APU) to the General Secretary of the International Parliamentary Union (IPU), Mr Martin Chungong, “Mr General Secretary, I am pleased to bring to your attention that after the virtual meeting of the Geo Political Group, held on March 7th, 2024, the following members have been designated to be in the Preparatory Committee for the 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament.”

    Other members of the committee are, Madam Carolina Cerqueira, Speaker of the National Assembly of Angola; Mr Adams Bictogo, Speaker of the National Assembly of Coted’Ivoire and Mr Brahim Boughali, Speaker, National Popular Assembly of Algeria.

    Senator Akpabio was at the last conference of the IPU in Luanda, Angola, elected into the Executive Committee of the international body.

    Akpabio led Nigeria’s delegation to the IPU’s 147th General Assembly in October 2023, breaking 59 years jinx. He is the first Nigerian to be elected into the committee since 1964.

  • Saraki’s Senate paid 40% on Constituency projects – Akpabio

    Saraki’s Senate paid 40% on Constituency projects – Akpabio

    Senate President. Godswll Akpabio has said that the Saraki-led Senate paid 40% on Constituency projects.

    Addressing the Senate on the ongoing security challenges across the country, the Senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, reminded the Apkabio that he was part of the Saraki Senate.

    According to Ndume, “Our security [agencies] have the capability. All they need is training, equipment, motivation. That’s what they need. But we can do it.

    “Now the President [Akpabio], he headed, when he was the Senate leader, he headed three committees and made far-reaching decisions. You were part of the Saraki Senate as a Minority Leader…”

    Akpabio replied: “I was a part of Nigerian Senate, not Saraki’s Senate. If you said I was part of Saraki’s Senate, it means I was part of those who paid 40% on Constituency project and 60% was not being paid till today, I don’t want to be part of that.”

    Senator Bukola Saraki was the Senate President in the first term of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

  • Senate investigates delay in distribution of 100 megawatts of electricity in Delta

    Senate investigates delay in distribution of 100 megawatts of electricity in Delta

    The Senate has mandated its Committee on Power to investigate the delay in the distribution of 100 megawatts of electricity to communities in Delta North.

    This followed the adoption of a motion titled: “Need to Address the Unexplained Delay in Electricity Step-Down of Okpai Independent Power Plant” sponsored by Sen.Ned Nwoko (PDP-Delta) at Thursday’s plenary.
    Presenting the motion, Nwoko said that Nigeria had 23 Power Generating Plants, also known as Independent Power Plants (IPPs), that were interconnected with the National Grid.

    “These plants have a combined capacity to generate 11,165.4 megawatts of electricity.

    “One of these facilities is the Okpai Independent Power Plant situated in the Ndokwa East Local Government Area of the Delta North Senatorial District in Delta.

    “This power plant operates a functional 930-megawatt gas-fired power generation facility that contributes to Nigeria’s power supply grid.

    “These Independent Power Plants are managed by Independent Power Providers and the Niger Delta Holding Company,” he said.
    Nwoko added: “Okpai Independent Power Plant, on the other hand, is operated and managed by the Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC).

    “In April 2005, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, commissioned the Okpai Independent Power Plant and ordered the immediate implementation of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report for the plant.

    “This included the provision of 50 megawatts of electricity to benefit the host communities within a 50-kilometer radius from the plant.

    “At the time of the plant’s commissioning in 2005, it generated only 480 megawatts of electricity.

    “Nevertheless, it played a crucial role in the national power distribution system in Nigeria by supplying electricity to nine distant states in the country including Anambra, Enugu, and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, among others.”

    Nwoko said that Okpai Independent Power Plant had been upgraded to provide a functional 930 megawatts of electricity.

    “This is with another order and understanding to increase the power supply to host communities from 50 megawatts to 100 megawatts.

    “This extension will include host community beneficiaries from the entire Delta North Senatorial District of Delta.

    “The plant has earned a reputation as the most consistent power plant in the country,” he said.

    He also said that to enhance its electricity supply, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) awarded a N4.2 billion contract in 2021 for the construction of a 132KV Double Circuit Transmission Line.

    “However, to date, there have been unexplained delays in executing the contract project,” he said.

    Akpabio referred the matter to the Senate Committee on Power for further legislative work and to report back to plenary in one month.

     

  • Drama as power outage disrupts Nigerian Senate plenary today

    Drama as power outage disrupts Nigerian Senate plenary today

    Confusion as power outage on Tuesday disrupted the Senate Plenary session.

    Meanwhile, the Senators have reportedly suspended plenary till the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) restored the electricity supply.

    Recall the power problem in Nigeria had been made worse with the removal of fuel subsidy which escalated the pump price of petroleum otherwise known as Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and AGO known as gas to all time high in the history of the country.

    Also the national grid collapse had become a regular feature in the country in the last nine months.

    While the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and Electricity Distribution Companies had recently absolved themselves of the epileptic power supply, it blamed the problem on generation.

    Recall on January 25, that the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) had said that shortage of power supply across the country was caused by decrease in power generation.

    TCN, explained that the gradual decrease in available generation into the national grid was caused by gas constraints to the thermal generating companies.

    It said the development has impacted the quantum of bulk power available on the transmission grid for onward transmission to the distribution load centres nationwide.

    In a statement titled: “TCN clarifies on low generation into the grid reduced allocation to distribution companies,” signed by TCN’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, said appealed to Nigerians for understanding it continue to work with the stakeholders in the value chain to improve supply through distribution companies to electricity consumers nationwide.

    The statement partly read: “The Transmission Company of Nigeria TCN hereby announces that there has been a gradual decrease in available generation into the grid due to gas constraints to the thermal generating companies, which has impacted the quantum of bulk power available on the transmission grid for onward transmission to the distribution load centers nationwide.

    “TCN is doing everything possible in collaboration with stakeholders in the power sector to ensure that it continues to keep the grid intact inspite of the current low power generated into the system.

    “Consequent upon the current load on the grid, load distributed to the distribution load centres have also reduced, as TCN can only transmit what is generated.

    “TCN is committed to ensuring a gradual increase in electricity supply to load centers as gas improves to power available thermal plants.

    Please bear with us as we continue to work with the stakeholders in the value chain to ensure that supply through distribution companies to electricity consumers nationwide improves,” its statement partly read.