The Northern Senators Forum, led by Senator Abdul Ningi, has recently announced that they plan to meet with President Bola Tinubu to discuss concerns regarding the alleged N3 trillion padding discovered in the 2024 budget.
Senator Ningi revealed during a recent interview with the BBC Hausa Service that consultants have been commissioned by the forum to thoroughly scrutinize the budget, with plans in place to confront Senate President Godswill Akpabio about their findings.
The forum’s primary objective is to present a detailed report to President Tinubu, conveying their dissatisfaction with certain aspects of the budget and seeking clarification on the alleged discrepancies.
During the same interview, Senator Abdul Ningi, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), shared his candid assessment of the present administration’s performance. He expressed his dissatisfaction with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s understanding of the country’s challenges and governance difficulties.
Senator Ningi, speaking from a Northern perspective, addressed the potential transfer of federal agencies to Lagos, predicting its likelihood based on past examples.
He highlighted the worsening conditions since Tinubu assumed leadership, discussing the neglect of crucial projects in the North, such as the Ajaokuta project, the Mambila power project, and the dredging of the River Niger. Additionally, he voiced his concerns about incomplete road constructions, particularly the Kano-Abuja route, and highlighted the challenges faced by the North.
Senator Ningi also delved into the dynamics of political processes, expressing his dissatisfaction with how leaders were “forced” onto the people. He criticized the use of religious and ethnic issues, stating that the North was not given leadership in the Senate opposition despite having significant representation.
The interview shed light on the difficulty of challenging the ruling party under the Northern Senators Forum’s umbrella while aiming for unity in the North.
Furthermore, Senator Ningi addressed the potential transfer of federal agencies to Lagos, predicting its likelihood based on past examples. He expressed disappointment with the lack of action from Northern leaders in finding solutions to such issues.
Additionally, he shared concerns about the ECOWAS decision impacting Nigeria’s relationship with Niger Republic. The interview highlighted the complexities of addressing regional challenges without letting politics interfere in finding effective solutions.
Finally, the interview touched upon the security challenges faced by the North, emphasizing incidents of abductions lasting several days. Senator Ningi expressed apprehension about the potential loss of states like Zamfara from the country due to ongoing security issues.
He urged proactive measures to address these challenges, revealing a deep concern for the future and the need for a stronger sense of unity and care for the region.
