Former Imo State Governor, Achike Udenwa, has voiced his criticism against the Senate leadership, particularly Senator Godswill Akpabio, for the suspension of Senator Abdul Ningi, the whistleblower behind the allegation of budget padding amounting to about N3 trillion.
In an interview with Daily Sun, Udenwa questioned the decision to suspend Ningi instead of conducting a thorough investigation into the serious allegation.
He emphasized the importance of addressing such allegations transparently, especially considering the significant sum involved and the country’s economic challenges.
Udenwa expressed disappointment in the Senate’s response, suggesting that instead of suspending Ningi, they should have focused on investigating the claims to maintain the integrity of the National Assembly.
He stated, “If Senator Ningi had the courage to raise that alarm, the best the Senate leadership would have done was to investigate and institute a public probe to get to the root of it. Is it true?
”We are talking of a budget padding of about N3 trillion in a dwindling economy, and the best you could do was to suspend the whistleblower without looking at what he has said. Are you sweeping such a serious allegation under the carpet?
”Any responsible leadership could investigate it, make sure that such a thing didn’t happen, and clear the image of the National Assembly. That is the reaction I expected to see from the Senate leadership, but not to suspend Senator Ningi.
”Maybe, after you have investigated and you find out that he lied and that there was nothing like that, if you suspended Senator Ningi, people would see with you, but not the way you did.
”Are you trying to shut him up? He has made an allegation, and the reaction of the Senate leadership is wrong. I do hope that the Senate will retrace its steps. What it has done is not the correct solution to the problem,” he stressed.
