‘President Tinubu’s 2024 Budget is Skewed Against us’ Northern Senators Raise Concerns

The Northern Senators Forum (NSF) has expressed strong reservations regarding the 2024 budget signed by President Bola Tinubu, citing a N3 trillion unexplained increase that disproportionately affects the North and the entire nation. In an interview with BBC Hausa Service on Saturday, NSF Chairman Abdul Ningi revealed that consultants engaged by the forum had discovered discrepancies in the budget.

Ningi emphasized the need to address issues such as the Mambila power project, Ajaokuta, the River Niger dredging, and the Niger Republic’s dam construction. The forum plans to present their findings to President Tinubu and seek clarification on the unaccounted N3 trillion.

The chairman criticized the government’s handling of critical projects in the North, expressing concern over neglected initiatives like the Ajaokuta project, the Mambila power project, and the dredging of the Niger River. Ningi asserted that the lack of attention to these projects has contributed to the challenges faced by Northerners.

Despite his affiliation with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ningi insisted that his criticism stemmed from a patriotic duty as a representative of the people. He expressed disappointment in President Tinubu’s governance, highlighting challenges faced by citizens and the failure to address crucial projects in the North.

Ningi also raised concerns about the recent decision to transfer federal agencies’ departments to Lagos, emphasizing the need for Northern leaders to take action. He addressed security challenges in the North, pointing out prolonged abductions in Katsina, Zamfara, and Benue, expressing fear that states like Zamfara might be at risk of secession if the security situation persists.

As the NSF prepares to meet with President Tinubu to discuss these issues, the spotlight remains on the alleged irregularities in the 2024 budget and the broader concerns facing the North.