The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has intensified pressure on the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, demanding his resignation to pave the way for an independent investigation into allegations of budget padding amounting to N3.7 trillion.
The controversy unfolded after Senator Abdul Ningi accused the National Assembly of inflating the 2024 budget by N3.7 trillion, prompting a Senate plenary session to address the matter. However, Ningi’s defense led to his suspension for three months, sparking outrage from the PDP.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP expressed solidarity with Ningi and condemned the Senate’s decision to suspend him without a thorough investigation. The party criticized the Senate leadership for allegedly attempting to suppress scrutiny and shield pertinent facts from public scrutiny.
Furthermore, the PDP called for Akpabio’s resignation, citing his alleged involvement in financial improprieties during his tenure as governor of Akwa Ibom State and as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs. The party urged Akpabio to cooperate with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) regarding ongoing investigations into corruption allegations.
The PDP emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in governance, accusing the APC-led Senate of attempting to cover up alleged misconduct. The party questioned the Senate’s decision-making process and accused Akpabio of presiding over a compromised investigation into the budget padding allegations.