Spark News reports that Senator Ningi, representing Bauchi Central, acting under the banner of Northern Senators’ Forum, claimed in an interview he granted BBC Hausa Service, that the National Assembly debated and passed N25 Trillion as 2024 budget and not the N28.7 Trillion that is being implemented by the Federal Government.
In a swift reaction, the presidency through a statement by Special Adviser to the President on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga faulted Senator Ningi’s claims, saying they are untrue.
However, briefing newsmen in Abuja, Senator Ningi denied the claims, saying “at no time did I say Tinubu was operating two budgets”.
He said “Am not representing Northern Senators’ forum, the interview I had was in my capacity as senator and I have no bearing to northern senators”.
He slammed Onanuga “I have been following his write up for many years, but am surprised with Bayo’s press release agàinst my person.
“I never granted interview in English, Bayo did not listen or asked for translation of my Hausa interview” he said.
“At no time did I say Tinubu was against the North, or implementing the budget against the North, I spoke on the state of the nation.
”If am suspended it will be honourary, I was speaking like a parliamentarian” Ningi added.
