The Nigerian Senate has descent into a rowdy session following revelations made by Senator Jarigbe Jarigbe regarding alleged payments to ranking senators and the controversy surrounding the national budget.
Senator Jarigbe’s disclosure during the debate on a motion of privilege raised by Senator Olamilekan Adeola has sparked uproar among senators. The motion of privilege was related to Senator Abdul Ningi’s interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation (Hausa Service), where he alleged disparities between the approved budget by the National Assembly and the budget being implemented by the Presidency.
In his remarks, Senator Ningi claimed that there was a discrepancy of ₦3 trillion between the budget passed by the National Assembly and the one being implemented, suggesting budget padding and improper allocation of funds.
Senator Jarigbe attempted to address the situation by clarifying that the missing ₦3.7 trillion, as alleged by Senator Ningi, had been accounted for under Government Owned Enterprises and first line charges. However, he added fuel to the fire by revealing that all ranking senators purportedly received ₦500 million each, implying a culture of corruption or unethical practices within the Senate.
This revelation has led to a chaotic atmosphere within the Senate, as it raises questions about the integrity of the legislative process and the accountability of its members. It is likely that further investigations and debates will ensue as senators grapple with the fallout from these allegations.
