Northern Senators Forum (NSF) has brought to light concerning allegations of budget padding, claiming that the 2024 budget was inflated by approximately N4 trillion.
The forum, comprising 58 members, led by chairman Abdul Ningi, convened at Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s Guest House in Abuja to confront him regarding these discrepancies.
He said, “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.
“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. Because apart from the budget National Assembly passed, some people went behind our back and prepared another budget we are not aware of. There were inclusions we don’t know about, but our experts are still working on it.
“Example, 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?
“And there are many other issues we have discovered. 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.”
During the meeting, which included Senate Deputy Barau Jibrin and Chief Whip Ali Ndume, tension escalated as accusations were leveled against Mr. Akpabio.
The crux of the matter revolves around undisclosed projects worth billions inserted into the budget without specified locations, raising suspicions of favoritism and inequity.
The senators expressed grave concern over what they termed “the most fraudulent budget in Nigeria’s history.”
Despite Mr. Akpabio’s explanation, citing his absence due to hospitalization during the budgetary process, the NSF demanded accountability and transparency.
Their concerns were further validated by extensive financial audits, revealing a staggering N3 trillion disparity in the budget.
Abdul Ningi emphasized the forum’s commitment to addressing these irregularities, pledging to engage the President directly to seek redress and accountability.