Embattled leader of the Northern Senators Caucus, Abdul Ningi has come out to defend his claims of padding in the 2024 Budget after his controversial Hausa radio interview.

Addressing newsmen at the National Assembly, Senator Ningi insists that there was padding of N3.7 Trillion in the 2024 budget that is not traceable to any project.

He explains that he never said in the radio interview that the Federal Government is operating two budgets after the Presidency came out to defend itself in a statement issued by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President, Bayo Onanuga.

Senator Ningi also says he spoke for myself and not on behalf of the Northern Senators Forum says “I stand by what I said” after three of his colleagues came out to disown him, namely, Sunday Karimi (APC, Kogi West), Titus Zam (APC, Benue North East) and Kaka Shehu (APC, Borno Central).

On threats to suspend him from the Senate for six months when the lawmakers resume plenary on Tuesday, March 12, the PDP ranking senator from Bauchi Central says he was not afraid of being suspended over his claims of budget padding.

Excerpt of his brief with the press.

— I am not afraid of suspension by the Senate

— I stand by what I said ,
N3.7 Trillion not traced to any project in the 2024 Budget

— I spoke for myself and not on behalf of Northener Senator forum

— I never said the federal government is operating two budget

— I only said N25 Trillion traced to projects and N3.7 Trillion not Traced to Any project

iNewsZone.com