A senator representing Delta North. Senatorial District, Ned Nwoko, has claimed that he received more than N1 billion for constituency projects in the 2024 budget.

Nwoko corroborated Senator Ali Ndume’s claims that the allocation of resources to the legislators often varies based on the magnitude of their constituency projects, indicating that it’s not uncommon for some, including himself, to receive larger amounts.

“Senators get what they lobby for, not because they have the right to it. Everybody just goes about doing what they can do for their constituencies and senatorial districts.

“A better approach would have been for senatorial uniformity. So if they say that everyone should get about N1 billion, be it. But this way, you rely on your weight and contacts to see what you can get for your people.

“We are not talking about money for the senators. This is for projects within our senatorial districts. If you have road, water, or training programmes, all should aggregate to a particular amount,” the lawmaker revealed in a podcast released on Saturday.

Asked if he got as much as N1 billion in allocation, the senator replied, “Of course, I did. That’s why I am who I am. But these are projects for my people.”

Nwoko’s revelation is coming amid the recent controversy of budget padding alleged by Senator Abdul Ningi of the 2024 budget with an extra N3.7 trillion, a fund not tied to any extra project.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the chairman of its Edo State Chapter, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi.

According to reports, Aziegbemi was abducted by a group of armed individuals near his home in Benin City, the capital of Edo State on Friday.

He was reportedly trailed by his abductors, who drove two Toyota Corolla cars and intercepted his vehicle along Odaro Street, near his residence, around 11 pm.

The PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, on Saturday, raised concerns regarding the abduction of Aziegbemi, linking it to the inability of the All Progressives Congress-controlled Federal Government to uphold the security and welfare of Nigerians as required by Section 14 (2)(b) of the Constitution.

The statement read in part, “Our party is distressed by the alarming spate of abduction of helpless Nigerians in various parts of the country, particularly the recent kidnap of about 286 school children in Kaduna State and others in Sokoto State, who are still being held in horrifying and traumatising conditions in their abductor’s den.

“It is heartrending that the APC administration continues to give false assurances while Nigerians are left at the mercy of kidnappers, bandits, terrorists, and marauders without corresponding concrete effort to check the ugly occurrences.

“Our party calls on the Federal Government to end its laidback attitude to security by immediately rejigging our national security architecture, especially in the areas of intelligence gathering, security command, and control coordination in a manner that not only proactively ensures the safety of citizens, but also guarantees rapid respond and effective rescue operations.

“The PDP commends our gallant security personnel in their patriotic effort to secure our nation and urges them not to relent despite the daunting challenges.”

The party called upon the security agencies to ensure the liberation of Aziegbemi and all other Nigerians currently being held captive in the camps of kidnappers across different regions of the nation.

President Bola Tinubu says those who benefitted from the old regime of payment of petrol subsidy and smugglers will fight back against his administration.

Tinubu spoke in Abuja on Friday during a meeting with state chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the State House.

The president said his administration will defend Nigerians against those who “falsified records and became losers with the petrol subsidy removal”.

On May 29, 2023, Tinubu, in his inauguration speech, announced the immediate suspension of payment of petrol subsidy.

“As we are fighting corruption, smugglers, and old subsidy beneficiaries, they most certainly will fight back,” Tinubu was quoted in a statement by Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson.

“All those who falsified records and became losers with the subsidy (on petroleum products) removal, they will fight back.

“But we will defend our people. The treasury belongs to the people, and that sacred trust must not be abused.”

Tinubu urged the APC state chairmen to mobilise Nigerians for the national identification number (NIN) registration.

The president added that without NIN, social intervention programmes will not be backed by verifiable data.

Tinubu said his administration is working tirelessly despite the presence of “some agents of destabilisation” in the country.

“I urge the state chairmen that regardless of party affiliation, let us help citizens by mobilising them for NIN registration. Not just PVCs,” he said.