Senator Opeyemi Bamidele representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District says the allegations levelled by Senator Ningi against the senate Ningi that the 2024 Budget passed by the Senate was padded can be described as a “civilian coup.
A furious Bamidele, who is also the Majority Leader of the upper chamber, alleged that Ningi attempt to unseat Akpabio by allegedly inciting the Northern Senators’ Forum against Akpabio, a southern senator, who took over from Ahmad Lawan a northerner
Bamidele said, “What my big brother, distinguished Senator Abdul Ningi, whom I respect so well, planned to do or set out to do was tantamount to a civilian coup which has failed. And in doing this, he wanted to use the platform of the Northern Senators’ Forum. God bless all those who have dissociated themselves from the Northern Senators’ Forum.”
Bamidele said Senator Aminu Tambuwal and Senator Ahmad Lawan had “very peaceful tenure” as Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria from 2011 to 2015 and as Senate President from 2019 to 2023 respectively.
The Senate Leader said he was one of those instrumental to the success of Lawan and Tambuwal, who is now in the Senate after serving as Sokoto State governor between 2015 and 2023.
Bamidele complained that some Northern Senators still had reservation against Akpabio after his June 2023 victory over ex-Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdul’aziz Yari. Bamidele said the attempt to frustrate Akpabio’s tenure as Senate President must stop.
Last June, Akpabio, a former Akwa Ibom governor was returned elected as President of the 10th Senate after scoring 63 votes, defeating Yari who scored 46 votes.
Budget Padding Allegation: Senator Bamidele Describes Move Coup Attempt
