A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and former member of House of Representatives, Kayode Oladele has called on the Senate Ethics Committee to thoroughly investigate the allegation of budget padding by the Chairman of Northern Senators Forum, Senator Abdul Ningi and if he’s found wanting of any infractions, should be suspended from the Senate.

It will be recalled that Senator Abdul Ningi, Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) Bauchi Central had in an interview with BBC Hausa Service alleged that the 2024 Appropriation Bill was initially N25 trillion, before it was padded by N3 trillion to arrive at the current N28 trillion.

While the Presidency has in a statement denied the allegation of budget padding, Senator Ningi’s colleagues in Northern Senators Forum, have distanced themselves from the embattled former Deputy Senate Leader.

In his statement, Kayode Oladele berated Senator Ningi for his “unsubstantiated claims and spurious allegations against the institutions of Nigerian Senate and Federal Government”.

According to Oladele, “Ningi’s vituperation, in spite of his position and raking as a former Deputy Senate Leader, portrays his abysmal lack of knowledge and understanding of the legislative process and proceedings.”

He argued that Ningi’s “wild and spurious allegations of budget padding, implementation of two budgets by the Presidency, diversion of federal government projects to South West, though lacking in merit and outrightly unethical, is capable of polarising the Nigerian Senate if not immediately sanctioned. It is also capable of creating disaffection and ill-will amongst the senators, pitting other regions against the South West, create unnecessary political tension in the country and deviously undermine President Tinubu’s efforts at repositioning the nation’s economy.”

Oladele, the former Chairman, House Committee on EFCC further stated that “Senator Ningi’s agenda has suffered irreparable damage in the face of stiff opposition and denials by well-meaning Nigerians and particularly, the Northern Senators Forum.

“As the Nigerian Senate resumes plenary on Tuesday, it is expected that the issue of embattled senator should command the required attention and if found guilty of any infractions, should be made to face the appropriate sanctions.”