Tension arose in the Senate chambers as Senator Olamileken Adeola (Ogun West) confronted the assembly, demanding transparency in budget proceedings. His outburst followed accusations by Senator Abdul Ningi, who claimed that the National Assembly padded the 2024 budget by N3 trillion. Senator Ningi clarified that he never accused President Bola Tinubu of implementing two budgets, but rather highlighted an unaccounted N3.7 trillion in the budget.
Senator Adeola had initially planned a press conference but opted to address the issue on the Senate floor. He emphasized the need for proper scrutiny of the budgetary process and expressed frustration over the lack of transparency. His actions underscored the growing tension within the Senate regarding budgetary matters.
Senate Reacts to Allegations of Budget Padding
In response to Senator Ningi's allegations, the Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu (APC, Ekiti South), refuted claims of budget padding, stating that the Senate had approved only one appropriation for the 2024 fiscal year. Adaramodu assured the public that there was no padding in the budget and emphasized the Senate's commitment to ensuring strict execution and oversight of the appropriation law.
Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (APC, Ondo South) condemned Senator Ningi's claims, describing them as false and damaging to the Senate's integrity. He announced his intention to prosecute Senator Ningi for misinformation and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace. Meanwhile, the Northern Senators Forum dismissed Ningi's claims, stating that they were not representative of the forum's position and reaffirming their support for President Tinubu.
