Ndume Says He Received Over N200 Million for Constituency Initiatives

Ali Ndume, the Senate Chief Whip

“All Animals Are Not Equal...”

As a key officer in the 10th National Assembly, Ali Ndume, the Senate Chief Whip, claims he received more than the N200 million allotment. appropriations act for 2024 that his colleagues and floor members received for constituency projects.

The senator from Borno South Senatorial District stated on Channels Television's Politics Today show on Wednesday, “My colleagues know that I go more than them (floor members).”

Ndume was reacting to claims made by Cross River North senator Jarigbe Agom-Jarigbe that certain senators received a total of N500 million from the 2024 Budget for projects related to their constituencies.

While the senators were debating budget padding charges made by Senator Abdul Ningi of the Bauchi Central Senatorial District on Tuesday, Agom-Jarigbe made the shocking revelation during a narrative session in Abuja.

Ningi was suspended for three months after claiming that the N3.7 trillion budget for 2024 was unrelated to any project.

Agom-Jarigbe had claimed that several senators engaged in this behavior, noting that, “It's disparity now, we are not the same, all animals are equal but some are more equal than the other. That's what the case is. They have agreed to that.

“All the senators have N200m (each) as their constituency projects but I am a leader. That is the difference. 10 of us are leaders including those in the opposition. We get more than the floor members. It's normal.

“That decision is taken by the senators. We have the senate budget committee before but now the floor members entrusted that to the presiding officers. That's the difference. So, most the senators don't know what I get and I will not tell you.”