Alleged budget padding: ACF condemns Ningi’s suspension, says North’s interest at stake

The Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, has condemned the suspension of the immediate past Chairman of Northern Senators Forum, Sen Abdul Ninigi, by the Senate, saying the interests of the North are at sta

A statement by the National Publicity Secretary of ACF, Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba, explained that the Senate ought to have investigated the issues raised by the senator to establish the veracity of his claims instead of the suspension

It urged the Senate to act with more circumspection in dealing with criticisms of its operation

Ningi had alleged that N3.7 trillion was not attached to any specific project in the 2024 budget passed for implementation

ACF noted that the allegation has since been denied by the 10th Senate as lacking in veracity, stressing that the interests of many communities in Northern Nigeria are at stake

It said rather than the route of a rushed suspension of Ningi, ACF prefers a thorough investigation of the allegation by a statutory or ad hoc committee of the Senate

It said the allegation of padding, as well as those related to the inclusion of items that benefit specific communities of some senators as “constituency projects”, stand unaddressed with all attendant negative implications for the Red Chamber and the executive