A former Senate chairman on Public Accounts, Senator Matthew Urhoghide has launched campaign against the #100 billion yearly budgetary allocation to the office of Nigerian Senate President.
He made the allegation on Tuesday in Benin City while expressing his reservations over his loss at the 2023 party primary election which he lost the party’s ticket to return to the Senate for the third time.
Senator Urhoghide represented Edo South Senatorial District between 2019-2023 on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before he resigned his membership from the party on the floor of the National Assembly two months ago.
The Senator who was silent on the budget for the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives, further alleged that Nigerian Senate President is also entitled to about 300 aides in addition to other fringe benefits.
He also alleged that he would have challenge the budgetary allocation, but, the gang up against him stopped his re-election into the Upper Legislative chamber.
According to him, “because of my records at the Senate, people ganged up to say this Urhoghide must not go back to the Senate.
“Is Akpabio not the Senate President now. This is what we were thinking of. It is not out of ambition, it’s because Senate President will go to South-South.
“As Senate President and number three person in Nigeria, the budget is more than a State budget, he has over a #100 billion and over 300 aides.
“I only had five aides. when I had over N10 million for solar street light in my budget, senate President has over #N10 billion.
“Oshiomhole and others are first timer. They can’t have a shot at Senate president. but people gang up and stop me”.
Speaking further, Senator Urhoghide said he will contest the Edo State 2024 governorship election in undisclosed party.
He said his stewardship at the Senator stands him out, noting that he had handed out 367 scholarships to Secondary and tertiary institutions’ students.
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