Alledged Budget Padding: Senator Nwoko confirms he received N500m in yet-to-be released interview

A photo collage of Senator Ned Nwoko and the suspended Ningi

Senator Ned Nwoko, the lawmaker representing Delta North Senatorial District has confirmed he received N500 million after Senator Abdul Ningi alleged the amount was given to ranking members of the Upper Chamber.

Recall Ningi, the lawmaker representing Bauchi Central was suspended for three months after a debate over his interview in which he alleged that the National Assembly padded the 2024 N28.7tn budget.

Ningi in an interview on BBC Hausa on Saturday, March 9 alleged the budget passed by the National Assembly for the 2024 fiscal year is N25tn while the one being implemented by the Presidency is N28.7tn.

“For the first time in Nigerian history, today we are operating two different budgets. One budget was approved by the National Assembly and signed by President Bola Tinubu and the one was implemented by the presidency," he was quoted as saying.

“The one approved by us is N25tn while the one operating by the Federal Government is N28tn."

His interview generated mixed reactions on social media and among the political elites.

Speaking on a yet-to-released interview on Seun Akinbaloye's "The Mic on Podcast", the lawmaker confirmed he is one of the recipients of the funds. When asked if he got it, he said: "Of course yes" adding that he got "up to a billion naira".

Meanwhile, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’adua (Katsina Central) has replaced Senator Abdul Ningi as the Chairman of the Northern Senators Forum.

The forum named Senator Muhammed Tahir Munguno (Borno North) to take over from Senator Sumaila Kawu as the new Spokesperson.

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, announced the announcement at plenary.

Yar’adua in his acceptance speech said he was deeply honoured and humbled to communicate to his colleagues in the forum his 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.