N162b suppl appropriation: Senate will probe Jonathan — Ngige

THE Senate has reportedly, decided to probe the presidency for the N162 billion supplementary appropriation meant to cushion the effects of fuel shortage on the populace's transportation during the Christmas and New Year festivities.

Senator Chris Ngige, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Anambra State, made this known yesterday during a press briefing in Awka, the State capital.

He said the probe had become necessary because the masses were subjected to sufferings occasioned by fuel scarcity in most parts of the country during the Yuletide period.

The former governor of Anambra State noted that every government establishment should be guided by Section 80 of the 1999 constitution (Amended) on expenditure of public funds.

He said the moment the apex house resumes sitting next year, the matter would be tabled for discussion.

It should be recalled that earlier this month, President Goodluck Jonathan, through an executive bill asked the Senate to approve about N162 billion supplementary budget for fuel subsidy financing and the cushioning of the effects of fuel scarcity on transportation on the people during this festive season.

Ngige also said the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) will be upstaged in the 2015 general election. He said that progressives politicians across country, especially, from the folds of Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP), ACN and All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) are joining forces for this purpose.

According to him, before the end of first quarter of next year, the blue print on how to dethrone the PDP will be made known to Nigerians.

Dr Ngige who said he was a pioneer member of PDP, claimed that the party which once made him a governor had failed since it was saddled with the affairs of manning the helm of this country in 1999.

On his seeming low profile in the Senate, Ngige said age and experience had thought him how not to misbehave politically, stressing however that he would be ready to bite whenever the interest of his constituency is trampled upon.

He also made a case for the creation of an additional state in the South East zone, stressing that the era of marginalisation of the zone has gone.

On his reported ambition to contest the governorship seat of his state, Ngige said he will also make this stance on that known by the end of first quarter of next year, adding that the notion that Anambra North zone should produce the next governor of Anambra is only a day dream.

Compass