Rédaction Africa Links 24 with John Ameh
Published on 2024-03-14 17:35:03
Members of the Northern Senators’ Forum (NSF) recently made some significant changes within their leadership structure. Sen. Abdulaziz Yar’Adua was appointed as the new Chairman of the group, replacing Sen. Abdul Ningi. Yar’Adua, who is the younger brother of the late President Umar Yar’Adua, hails from Katsina State and also serves as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army.
In addition to the change in leadership, the group also saw a shift in its spokesperson. Sen. Kawu Sumaila was replaced by Sen. Mohammed Monguno from Borno State. These changes were made during a quick meeting held by the group to strategize on coordinating the interests of the North more effectively, emphasizing the importance of consulting all members before making decisions.
Ningi’s resignation from his position as the PDP lawmaker for Bauchi state came after the Senate suspended him for three months due to allegations of budget ‘padding’ totaling N3.7 trillion. The controversy stemmed from Ningi’s claim that only N25 trillion out of the N28.7 trillion budget for 2024 could be accounted for through verifiable expenditure heads. However, the Senate refuted these claims during a plenary session, providing evidence that the alleged N3.7 trillion was part of the budget for nine government bodies placed on First Line Charge, not included in the documents Ningi had used to reach his conclusions.
Yar’Adua, who addressed journalists following the meeting, expressed the new leadership’s commitment to wide consultations before making decisions to ensure that the group operates as a unified entity with a clear voice. He thanked Ningi for his contributions to the forum and assured him that his efforts would be remembered and valued.
The new Chairman outlined the group’s goals, which include promoting Nigeria’s interests first, fostering development in the North through collaboration with colleagues from the South, and working with the executive branch to address key challenges in the region such as security, agriculture, education, healthcare, drug abuse, and human trafficking. Yar’Adua emphasized the importance of transparency, accountability, and integrity in the Forum’s activities, pledging to uphold the trust placed in them by the electorate.
Moving forward, Yar’Adua vowed to ensure that the Northern Senators Forum operates with civility, dignity, and adherence to the rule of law as they carry out their legislative, policy-making, and oversight duties. He expressed confidence in the collective efforts of the group to bring about positive change, uplift the North, and contribute to the overall development of Nigeria.
In conclusion, Yar’Adua called for unwavering dedication and steadfast commitment from all members as they embark on this journey of serving their constituents and the country. By working together and prioritizing the interests of the nation, the Northern Senators’ Forum aims to make a meaningful impact and contribute to the progress and unity of Nigeria.
Read the original article on Nigerian Tribune
