Senate Engulfed in Turmoil over N3.7 Trillion Budget Padding Allegations
By: Emmanuel Ibitoye
The Senate, traditionally mired in controversy, faced yet another hurdle as accusations of unjustified financial allocations and non-transparent budgetary practices surfaced, threatening its credibility. Senator Abdul Ningi’s claims of budget padding to the tune of N3.7 trillion have ignited a storm of controversy, casting fresh doubts on the integrity of Nigeria’s National Assembly.
The allegations, dismissed by both the presidency and legislative authorities, shed light on opaque financial dealings within the National Assembly, raising concerns over the misuse of public funds. Revelations that some senators purportedly received N500 million each from the 2024 budget further fueled public outrage and skepticism towards the institution’s accountability.
As the Senate grapples with the fallout from these accusations, calls for transparency and accountability in budgetary allocations grow louder. Seun Onigbinde, Co-Founder of civic group Budgit, supported Ningi’s call for detailed project allocations within the budget, emphasizing the need for clarity and oversight in governmental expenditure.
