Fresh revelations emerged at the Senate plenary on Tuesday, indicating that ranking senators received N500m each for constituency projects in the 2024 budget passed by the National Assembly. This revelation sparked a rowdy session, leading to the suspension of Senator Abdul Ningi for three months and his resignation as the Chairman of the Northern Senators Forum.
Senator Jarigbe Jarigbe alleged during a debate on breach of privilege that senior senators received N500m each, which he later clarified as information received from Ningi. Despite some senators denying the receipt of such funds, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele confirmed the allocation, stating it was for constituency projects.
In his defence, Ningi denied mentioning budget padding but highlighted discrepancies in the budget. The Senate later suspended him for three months and warned Senator Suleiman Kawu against sharing disturbing news about the Senate.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Adeyemi Adaramodu, clarified that no senator received N500m as palliative, attributing the misinformation to a rumour.