By Sabiu Abdullahi
Northern senators have raised alarm over alleged budget padding amounting to N4 trillion, orchestrated by Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Akpabio, and his associates.
The senators, expressing concern over what they deem self-enrichment projects, called for transparency and accountability in budgetary processes.
Under the leadership of Chairman Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi), members of the 58-member Forum convened a meeting with Mr. Akpabio at his Guest House in the Maitama District of Abuja on Thursday to address the issue.
In an interview with BBC Hausa Service, Senator Ningi highlighted the discovery of two separate federal budgets being implemented.
He revealed, “For the last three months, we have employed private financial auditors to extensively examine the 2024 budget. We have uncovered significant unauthorized changes and additions in the budget that would have a widespread negative impact on the nation as a whole.”
Senator Ningi stated the need for accountability, stating, “We are supposed to meet with the senate president and show him the irregularities we saw in the budget and let him know our concerns. We will not agree and support spending money on what we are not aware of.”
Citing discrepancies in budget figures, he questioned, “We had a budget of N28 trillion but after our thorough checks we found out that it was a budget of N25 trillion. How and where did we get the additional N3 trillion from, what are we spending it for?”
The senator pledged to seek clarification from President Bola Tinubu, stating, “We are going to meet with the president and show him, we will ask him if he is aware of all these things that are happening. We will show him and ask him if he is aware of it, and what he intends to do to those who partake in the whole manipulations and inclusions.”
As the controversy unfolds, Nigerians await responses from relevant authorities and demand transparency in budget implementation to uphold the integrity of governance processes.