Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has implored the National Assembly to preserve its independence and avoid becoming a mere tool for the government.

During a visit to the residence of suspended Bauchi lawmaker, Senator Abdul Ningi, on Monday, April 22, Atiku expressed his support for Ningi’s efforts to expose alleged irregularities in the 2023 budget. Ningi had accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of inserting illegal projects into the budget and alleged that the government led by Bola Tinubu was operating a different budget from the one approved by the National Assembly.

Atiku emphasized the importance of public institutions, particularly the National Assembly, in protecting the interests of ordinary Nigerians. “The integrity of public institutions is crucial in preserving and safeguarding the interests of the masses in a democracy,” he stated.

He decried the historical tendency for public institutions to be manipulated by oppressive governments, and urged the National Assembly to resist such attempts. Atiku expressed solidarity with Ningi and declared that he and “the entire people of Nigeria and friends of Nigeria in the international community” supported their efforts to combat oppression.

Ningi expressed gratitude for Atiku’s visit and praised his decision to “take a stand with the masses.” He emphasized that the goal of their struggle was to ensure that the interests of the people remained paramount, regardless of which political party was in power or who held positions of Authority. CONTINUE READING