- Senate Decries PDP’s Calls For Akpabio’s Resignation, Says It Is Reprehensible
- Ningi Not Gagged, He Was Given Ample Opportunity To Defend Himself But Floundered-Senate
- Yar’Adua’s Emerges As New Chairman Of Northern Senators’ Forum, Vows To Promote Nigeria’s Interest First
The crisis surrounding the allegation of a N3.7tr padding in the 2024 Budget by the now suspended Senator representing Bauchi Central, Abdul Ningi has refused to die down with the crisis continuing.
On Thursday, the Nigerian Senate described the call for the resignation of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as reprehensible.
The Matrix reports that the main opposition party yesterday called for Akpabio’s resignation over the scandal.
READ ALSO: Amid Suspension, Ningi Resigns As Northern Senators Forum Chairman
However, Spokesman for the Senate, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, while berating the PDP in a statement on Thursday, declared that “the PDP has 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 Ningi suspended.
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’.”
He further stated, “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.
READ ALSO: Budget Padding Claim: Senate Falls Apart
“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.
Meanwhile, barely forty-eight hours after Ningi resigned as Chairman of Northern Senators’ Forum (NSF), Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua (APC Katsina Central) emerged as the forum’s new Chairman.
Yar’Adua’s emergence as new Chairman of the Northern Senators’ Forum, was sequel to the unanimous endorsement to that effect by Senators across the three geo – political zones in the North.
The Northern Senators also appointed Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno (APC Borno North) as Publicity Secretary of the forum, a position held by Senator Summaila Kawu (NNPP Kano South) when Ningi was the Chairman.
Addressing the press after his emergence as the chairman of NSF, Senator Yar’Adua said the major objective of the Northern Forum is to promote the interests of Nigeria first, followed by development of the North through collaboration with their counterparts from the South and cooperating with the executive arm of government to ensure that the challenges of the region are addressed.
He said: “We shall therefore work in consultation with our distinguished colleagues to preserve the unity and progress of our dear nation.
“In advancing these noble objectives, I am committed to streamlined activities within the Northern Senators Forum.
“We shall operate with transparency, accountability, and integrity, upholding the trust placed on us by the electorate.
“Our legislative discourse will continue to be characterized by civility, dignity, and adherence to the rule of law as we fulfill our lawmaking, policy-making,and oversight functions.
“I am confident that with our collective efforts and cooperation, we can effect positive change, uplift the North, and contribute to the overall development of our great nation.”
Earlier in his acceptance speech to his fellow Northern Senators for the honour done to him, Senator Yar’Adua said: “I am deeply honoured and humbled to communicate to you today my acceptance as the Chairman of the Northern Senators Forum.
“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to my distinguished colleagues for this vote of confidence in me following the resignation of my distinguished elder brother, Senator Abdul Ningi, whom I hold in high esteem. I wish to acknowledge and commend the decent outing and the contributions he made during his tenure.
“I am aware of the challenges facing the Northern region which Include: security, agriculture, education, healthcare, drug abuse and human trafficking etc, which will be tackled with more vibrant legislations in collaboration with our Southern counterparts.”
