10 Senate Leaders Including Me Got Over N200Million Each For Constituency Projects —Chief Whip, Ndume

The Senator from Borno South Senatorial District disclosed this on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Wednesday, adding that it is a normal practice for some Senators to get more than others.

Nigerian Senate Chief Whip, Ali Ndume on Wednesday admitted that 10 Senate leaders including him got more than N200 million budget each for their constituency projects in the approved 2024 Appropriation Act.

The Senator from Borno South Senatorial District disclosed this on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Wednesday, adding that it is a normal practice for some Senators to get more than others.

He said, “My colleagues know that I got more than them (floor members).”

Ndume’s comment comes as a response to the claim of a lawmaker representing Cross River North Senatorial District, Senator Agom Jarigbe, who revealed that some ‘senior’ senators received N500 million each from the 2024 budget.

SaharaReporters reported on Tuesday that Senator Jarigbe made the revelation on the floor of the Senate during the day amid controversy over budget padding allegations made by Senator Abdul Ningi, who represents Bauchi Central Senatorial District on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Ningi had alleged that the Senate leadership padded the 2024 budget with N3.7 trillion and this led to his suspension for three months from the Senate.

Reacting to Senator Agom-Jarigbe’s claim, Ndume continued: “It’s disparity now, we are not the same; all animals are equal but some are more equal than the other. That’s what the case is. They have agreed to that.

“All the senators have N200 million (each) as their constituency projects but I am a leader. That is the difference. 10 of us are leaders including those in the opposition. We get more than the floor members. It’s normal.

“That decision is taken by the senators. We have the Senate budget committee before but now the floor members entrusted that to the presiding officers. That’s the difference. So, most of the senators don’t know what I get and I will not tell you.”