Legislature
Uneasy calm at Senate over alleged double budgets
***as Jimoh Ibrahim asks IGP to charge Ningi for criminal misinformation
The allegation of execution of two separate budgets has further divided the Senate, heightening mutual suspicion among colleague senators
Senators expressed divergent views on the matter as some threatened to cause chaos while the issue of suspending senator Abdul Ningi was being contemplated
Senator at a press briefing Monday maintained that projects worth N3.7 trillion could not be traced or located in the N28.7 trillion national budget.
He however pointed out that his interview which was in Hausa with the BBC was misinterpreted even as he said he never spoke on behalf of the Northern Senators Forum.
“I’m not representing the northern senators forum. The interview I had was in my capacity as a senator and as an opposition senator. It has no bearing at all on the northern senators position on any matter.
Anything that you heard in my Hausa interview had to do with my personal perspective.”
Ningi also denied report that the Federal Government is implementing two separate budgets.
“At no time did I say Bola Ahmed Tinubu is implementing N25 trillion budget.
I said we have established beyond reasonable doubt that about N25 trillion so far has nexus in the budget. That means that there is money, there is project and then there is location.
“But we are yet to ascertain N3 trillion of that budget. We have established the N3 trillion of that budget, we have not established its location and the place.”
The lawmaker who had served as Majority Leader in the House of Representatives and Deputy majority leader in the Senate said he was not scared of threats of suspension from the Senate.
According to him, “if speaking the truth will attract suspension to me, I will be honoured”.
“What the President proposed to the senate are proposals’ what the senate passes is appropriation. There is no way I will talk about N25tr and N28tr. The President has no powers for appropriation. It is even a misnormal for the executive to tell the National Assembly members, we are bringing a budget and don’t touch it, it is a misnormal; the constitution is clear on who has the power for appropriation. I couldn’t have said what they have suggested. There is no way a President will implement budget that is not passed by the National assembly” He explained.
In what appeared as another twist, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (APC, Ondo South) asked the Inspector-General of Police to immediately charge Ningi for what he called criminal misinformation.
Senator Jimoh Ibrahim said it is very embarrassing to say that
the Presidency of Nigeria is operating two budgets and this is very embarrassing.
“We of the 10th Senate cannot just fold our hands and be looking. This is not true, the Senate and the National Assembly approved only one appropriation act for 2024 and we never approved two.
According to him, “What Ningi said about the Appropriation Act of 2024 is unacceptable, causing uncomfortable pains to our integrity; our children and our family as people will read it. It is all over the world.
Ibrahim said he “has been receiving text messages from Alumni of Oxford and Cambridge did you do two budgets. I have decided as a senator representing the good people of Ondo South to ask the Inspector General of Police and the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency charge Ningi for misinformation, criminal misinformation of course, and misconduct likely going to cause the breach of peace.
“If the senate will not move to do that within the next seven days, I will write a letter and I have started that to the IGP to investigate the circumstances leading to the approval of two appropriations in 2024 and bring the culprit to book. If the IGP will not do it I will ask for the order of Mandamus to compel a public officer to do that which he aught to do in accordance with the law
What I want to mention to you today is that we have two appropriations, and that Senator Ningi must be charged to court for breach of peace and criminal misinformation” He stressed.
Meanwhile, seven Senators issued a statement on behalf of the Northern Senators Forum yesterday to disown Ningi.
The statement was signed by Senators Aminu Iyal Abbas (Adama); Ibrahim Bamai(Yobe) Abdul Azeez Yar’Adua (Katsina); Lawal Adamu Usman(Kaduna); Jibri Isah (Kogi); Diket Plang( Plateau); and Sliu Mustapha(Kwara)
It was titled “There’s no wrongdoing in 2024 budget, Northern Senators dissociate selves from Senator Ningi’s padding allegation” the Northern senators said “the view Ningi expressed was his personal opinion, sentiment and unfortunately skewed, incorrect and misleading”
The lawmakers submitted that
there was never a time where Northern senators held a meeting and mandated Senator Ningi to address the press on the said matter.
They further said that “the budget was presented to the National Assembly during a joint session of the two chambers – Senate and House of Representatives – by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on November 29, 2023, in line with the requirement of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
• “That both chambers of the National Assembly diligently and meticulously debated, processed and passed the proposal of the President. And satisfied with it, the President assented to it.
• “It is clear that Mr President presented a budget of N27. 5 trillion to the National Assembly and the Assembly passed a budget of N28.7 trillion based on the need to make increases or decreases in the appropriations of the various MDAs which is in tandem with the legislative powers of the National Assembly in order to address critical projects and services across various sectors. Therefore, the statement made by Senator Ningi that the 2024 budget presented to the National Assembly by Mr President was the sum of N25 trillion was not correct and that should not be taken as the position of the Northern Senators Forum.
• “That to the best of our knowledge there was no budget padding, whatsoever that was done to the 2024 budget. The assertion by Senator Ningi that certain things were done to the bill is his personal opinion. It is not the view of the generality of us, the Northern Senators.
• “Hence, we strongly and collectively dissociate ourselves from his action which was grossly unparliamentary.
• “That, we, the Northern Senators are solidly behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and we will continue to support him to succeed in addressing the challenges facing our country. Nigeria, at this particular moment does not need ethnic sentiments but collaborations of all to bring prosperity to our beloved country, the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
• “We will continue to work with our brothers and sisters from the southern part of the country to move our country forward for the benefit of all and sundry”.
End
The National Assembly has called for a comprehensive reassessment of Nigeria’s Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative following alarming reports of vehicle explosions attributed to uncertified conversions. Lawmakers are urging the Federal Government to prioritize rigorous adaptability tests to ensure the safety and suitability of the technology in Nigeria’s unique environment.
During the 2025 budget defense session of the Joint Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Petroleum (Upstream), and Gas, Senator Natasha Akpoti (PDP, Kogi Central) questioned the adequacy of research conducted before rolling out the CNG program.
“Nigeria’s bumpy roads and hot climate differ significantly from the smooth and cooler environments where this technology originated. Were these factors considered before introducing CNG?” Akpoti asked.
Her concerns come amid incidents of explosions in CNG-converted vehicles. The Minister of State for Gas, Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, attributed these accidents to uncertified conversions carried out by roadside technicians, emphasizing that certified centers adhere to strict safety standards.
Ekpo also assured lawmakers that the technology had been evaluated by a Presidential Committee on CNG and affirmed its long-term viability. “CNG has come to stay,” he stated.
The session also highlighted budgetary concerns, particularly the Ministry of Petroleum’s 2025 capital allocation of N903 million. Lawmakers criticized the sum as inadequate to address Nigeria’s pressing energy challenges.
“For a ministry driving Nigeria’s energy transition, this allocation raises concerns about commitment to infrastructure and innovation,” remarked Hon. Kafilat Ogbara.
As Nigeria seeks to diversify its energy mix, the National Assembly has stressed the need for enhanced safety measures, proper implementation, and increased funding to fully realize the potential of CNG while ensuring public safety and trust.
***Seeks Support for Loans as Budgetary Provisions Fall Short
The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has voiced his deep frustration over the state of Nigeria’s road infrastructure, highlighting inadequate yearly budgetary allocations as a major barrier to progress.
Speaking during the 2025 budget defense session before the Senate Committee on Works in Abuja on Friday, Umahi described the financial constraints as overwhelming. “I’ve succeeded in most of my life’s engagements, but I feel frustrated fixing Nigerian roads with these meagre allocations,” he lamented.
Umahi disclosed that President Bola Tinubu inherited 2,064 road projects valued at N13 trillion, but rising costs have pushed the estimated expenditure to N18 trillion. He noted that the N827 billion allocated for road infrastructure in the 2025 budget is grossly insufficient to address the challenges.
“Roads are critical to economic growth and poverty reduction. They create jobs and drive economic activities. However, fixing these roads cannot be achieved with yearly budget provisions alone,” he explained.
The minister urged Nigerians to support the government’s borrowing initiatives, assuring that the funds would directly impact citizens’ lives by boosting economic activities and reducing hunger.
Senators on the committee, led by Senator Mpigi Barinaga, praised Umahi for his efficient management of scarce resources and supported his call for alternative funding mechanisms. They acknowledged the scale of the work required and admitted that the proposed budget falls far short of what is needed to resolve Nigeria’s road infrastructure crisis.
The session concluded with a shared resolve to explore additional funding options to tackle the nation’s road challenges effectively.
***Minister Lokpobiri Assures of Reforms, Apologizes for Lapses
The 2025 budget defense session for the petroleum sector took a contentious turn on Friday as the Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committee on Petroleum (Upstream, Midstream, Downstream, and Gas) erupted into disorder. Tensions flared over delays in budget documentation, with lawmakers decrying the Ministry of Petroleum Resources’ perceived lack of preparedness and respect for legislative protocols.
The meeting, chaired by Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, was already fraught with logistical challenges. The cramped committee room, bursting with lawmakers and ministry officials, became the backdrop for a fiery exchange that highlighted the strained relationship between the legislative and executive branches. Calls to relocate the session to a more accommodating venue went unheeded, adding to the frustration.
Before the session could proceed, Hon. Kelechi Nwogu raised a procedural objection, pointing out the absence of vital budget documents. “We cannot engage in a meaningful discussion without the necessary materials. This undermines the integrity of the process,” Nwogu asserted.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, faced sharp criticism for the disorganization. Hon. Ado Doguwa, Co-Chairman of the Joint Committee, accused the Ministry of fostering an adversarial relationship with the legislature. “Minister, we see you only once a year, and even then, the lack of collaboration is glaring. This is unacceptable,” Doguwa said, his frustration evident.
Lokpobiri, in an attempt to salvage the situation, apologized for the lapses. “Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members, I deeply regret this oversight. It was not intentional. The budget documents are being distributed as we speak,” he said. He assured lawmakers that the Ministry remained committed to supporting legislative oversight and improving future engagements.
However, Lokpobiri’s lighthearted remark that the documents were being delivered in “Ghana Must Go” bags—containing no money—elicited mixed reactions. While some lawmakers chuckled, others viewed it as a diversion from the seriousness of the issue.
Doguwa, accepting the apology, stressed the need for strict adherence to legislative guidelines. “While we appreciate the apology, the late submission of documents is a breach of procedure. This cannot continue. We demand accountability and timely cooperation moving forward,” he said.
The session ultimately ended in stalemate, with lawmakers insisting on postponing the meeting until all necessary documents had been reviewed. The debacle underscores the persistent challenges of executive-legislative coordination in Nigeria’s budgetary process, particularly in critical sectors like petroleum.
As the Joint Committee prepares to reconvene, stakeholders will be watching closely to see if the Ministry of Petroleum Resources can rebuild trust and ensure a smoother process in the future.
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