The leader of the Northern Senators Caucus, Senator Abdul Ningi, has defended his claims of budget padding in the 2024 Budget during a controversial Hausa radio interview recently.

Addressing journalists at the National Assembly, Senator Ningi reiterated his assertion that a padding of N3.7 trillion in the 2024 budget is not traceable to any project.

Senator Ningi clarified that he did not state in the radio interview that the Federal Government is operating two budgets.

Despite three of his colleagues disowning him, Senator Sunday Karimi (APC, Kogi West), Titus Zam (APC, Benue North East), and Kaka Shehu (APC, Borno Central), Senator Ningi stood by his statement.

Senator Ningi said he spoke for himself and not on behalf of the Northern Senators Forum, saying, “I stand by what I said.”

His words: “I am not afraid of suspension by the Senate. I stand by what I said: N3.7 Trillion not traced to any project in the 2024 Budget. “I spoke for myself and not on behalf of the Northern Senator Forum. I never said the federal government is operating with two budgets.

“I only said N25 trillion was traced to projects and N3.7 trillion was not traced to any project.