By Fatima Saka
Senator Abdul Ningi on Monday says president Tinubu before he came into power doesn’t understand Nigeria’s problem, thereby dissociating himself from his colleagues in the Northern Senators’ forum over comments on the 2024 budget.
He added that he is not afraid of being suspended.
While briefing the media in Abuja, Senator Ningi, who made a u-turn, said “at no time did I say Tinubu was operating two budgets”.
Ningi, who represents Bauchi central senatorial district said he will carry his cross alone.
Ningi meanwhile took a back on the press release by bayo Onanuga, added that the interview he granted BBC Hausa were his own personal perspective, not representing the northern senators forum.
Senator stated that Bayo calls him a liar against his person, not even understanding the scenario of the matter.
“I’m speaking on the state of the nation,
“Failures of the former president of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan of not dredging the river Niger.
“Failure of Buhari not achieving anything until his tenure ends
“I don’t blame Tinubu on what his doing because the northern leader has not extracted commitment that if he wins what will he do for the North,”
The lawmaker is facing baptism of fire from the presidency and alleged rumor of suspension by his colleagues from the upper legislative chamber.
It would be recalled that acting under the banner of Northern Senators’ Forum, Senator Ningi, 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 press statement by Special Adviser to the President on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga faulted claims by NIngi, saying they are unfounded.
He said “Am not representing the Northern Senators’ forum, the interview I had was in my capacity as senator and has no bearing on northern senators”.
He berated Onanuga “I have been following his write up for many years, but am surprised with Bayo’s press release agàinst my person.
“I was never granted an interview in English, Bayo did not listen or ask for a translation of my Hausa interview,” he said.
Continuing “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 I’m suspended it will be honorary, I was speaking like a parliamentarian,” Ningi added.
