General
Budget Padding: Senate Recalls Abdul Ningi
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Senate has recalled Mr Abdul Ningi, a Bauchi State Senator, who was suspended for three months over budget padding remarks.
His recall followed the adoption of a motion by the Senate Minority Leader, Mr Abba Moro, and co-sponsored by the Senate Deputy Minority Leader, Mr Olalere Oyewumi, and the Senate Minority Whip, Mr Osita Ngwu, at Tuesday’s plenary, titled The unconditional recall of Senator Abdul Ningi.
Moving the motion, Mr Moro said that Mr Ningi, the former Chairman of the Northern Senators’ Forum was suspended for three months following a media interview he granted the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Hausa Service on March 9.
He alleged that about N3.7 trillion representing over 10 per cent of the 2024 budget was illegally inserted into the 2024 National Budget.
“Ningi was asked to address his allegation of budget padding against the National Assembly, following a motion of urgent national importance moved by Mr Solomon Adeola, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations.
“And failing to address the allegation, the Senate resolved to suspend Ningi for three months for violating legislative rules, misconduct and unethical behaviour for the interview he granted on BBC Media.
“The said Ninigi, being under suspension, has spent over two months outside the precincts of the National Assembly Complex and needs to return to continue with his legislative activities as the senator representing Bauchi Central senatorial district.
“Flowing from the above, the Senate Minority Leadership takes full responsibility for the actions of our colleague Ningi and apologizes on his behalf,” he said.
Seconding the motion, Deputy Senate President, Mr Jibrin Barau said “This Senate is the highest assembly in our sovereign land of Nigeria. A Senate that is composed of men and women of wisdom.
“I commend the minority leader and his team, the entire minority caucus and the entire leadership of the minority caucus.
“This is because I know they acted based on the prompting of the members of the caucus for going in-between and for making sure they got to where we are now
and by bringing forth this motion in a way that the resolution of the issue of Ningi’s suspension is resolved finally.
“It is something they need to be commended for because they have gone to meditate and they are apologising on his behalf.
“I urge the senate, the leadership having apologised on behalf of Ningi, we should accept this apology so as to strengthen our spirit of brothers that we are known for.”
In his remarks, the Senate President, Mr Godswill Akpabio supported the claim.
“Let me thank the majority leadership for this initiative.
“And also note that it was this same Senate that set up a committee for you to mediate and then you were the chairman and then of course, this decision by the Minority leaders and the entirety of the Minority in the Senate seems to have superseded the area and decision of the Senate.
“So, I agree with you. He is a very resourceful senator and one of our own and the Senate is a family irrespective of the political divide, irrespective of the religious divide and irrespective of languages.
“This happening today is in tandem with the spirit of what the national assembly, both the Senate and the House of Representatives have done by bringing back our national anthem which simply says that though tribes and tongues may differ, in brotherhood we stand,” he said.
“The decision of the Senate today is clear evidence that this is one family and though we may come from different constituencies and different states, in brotherhood we stand.
“I congratulate the senate for this decision and I agree that to err is human and to forgive is divine. Our distinguished brother, Sen. Abdul Ningi is hereby recalled to the senate to participate in all activities,” he added.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A hotline number, 0800 123 5264, for Nigerians to report any MRS Oil Nigeria Plc filling stations selling Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, above the approved pump price of N739 per litre, has been released by Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
The private refiner said the number was now active nationwide, enabling consumers to promptly report violations and help maintain fair pricing across over 2,000 MRS stations.
This measure follows the refinery’s recent commencement of nationwide PMS sales at N739 per litre—a strategic intervention aimed at stabilising fuel prices and easing the financial burden on Nigerians during the festive season.
“We encourage Nigerians to avoid purchasing PMS at inflated prices when locally refined fuel is available at N739 per litre.
“Report any MRS station selling above this price by calling our hotline. Together, we can ensure that the benefits of this price reduction reach every consumer,” the company stated in a statement.
The organisation stressed its mission to deliver affordable, high-quality fuel while safeguarding national economic interests, reaffirming its commitment to steady supply, backed by a guaranteed daily output of 50 million litres, and warned against attempts to create artificial scarcity or manipulate supply.
Regulatory authorities have been urged to remain vigilant and take decisive action against unpatriotic practices.
By refining locally at scale, Dangote Refinery is reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imports, conserving foreign exchange, stabilising the Naira, and strengthening energy security. This initiative represents a significant milestone in the country’s journey toward sustainable energy solutions and economic recovery.
The refinery also issued a stern warning against attempts by unscrupulous operators to create artificial scarcity in response to the price reduction, calling on government agencies to act decisively.
“Any attempt to create artificial scarcity or manipulate supply to frustrate recent price reductions is unpatriotic and unacceptable. We urge regulatory authorities to remain vigilant and take firm action against such practices, especially during this critical festive period,” the statement added.
Consumers were advised to resist purchasing fuel at inflated prices when cheaper, high-quality alternatives are readily available.
By Bon Peters
The Airport Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) at Omagwa Rivers State has praised the Customs Area Controller for Customs Area 1 Command, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku.
At the end-of-the-year party attended by stakeholders, including the leader of the association’s chapter, Mr Charles Onyema, said the customs officer has done well in stakeholder engagement and trade facilitation.
At the event held last Friday, he said his association has been enjoying a very cordial relationship with other organisation in the ecosystem.
“You can see what is happening today, everybody is working together and our operations here are seamless,” he noted.
He stated that apart from creating a very robust business environment for his members and other stakeholders to operate, he has taken a decision to build and commission a befitting ANLCA Secretariat which would be completed soon and be commissioned by the ANLCA national president, Mr Emenike Nwokeoji.
The ANLCA chapter chief said since “Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku assumed office at Customs Area 1, Port Harcourt Command, it has been a different ball game, facilitating trade and increasing Revenue generation.”
“I remember I told her she was a mother during her maiden visit to the airport.
“You know when you have a woman in charge of an affair, food will not lack, compassion will not lack and motherly love will not lack.
“She is very wonderful in stakeholder engagement, revenue generation and trade facilitation,” Mr Onyema enthused.
Projecting into the future, Mr. Onyema said the year 2026 would be better for his members, adding that he has advised them on financial discipline which he said would help them during the trying period.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has declared Thursday, December 25, and Friday, December 26, 2025, as public holidays to mark Christmas and Boxing Day respectively.
The government also declared Thursday, January 1, 2026, for the New Year celebration.
The declaration was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Mrs Magdalene Ajani, on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
According to the statement, the Minister urged Nigerians to reflect on the values of love, peace, humility and sacrifice associated with the birth of Jesus Christ.
Mr Tunji-Ojo also called on citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity, to use the festive season to pray for peace, improved security and national progress.
He further advised Nigerians to remain law-abiding and security-conscious during the celebrations, while wishing them a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Business Post reports that on these public holidays – the foreign exchange market, the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), as well as the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange will not open to trade.
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