Senate Imposes A Three-month Suspension On Senator Abdul Ningi

Senator Abdul Ningi

The National Assembly's senator for the Bauchi Central Senatorial District, Abdul Ningi, was placed on three-month leave.

Senator Abdul Ningi's three-month suspension is due to a claim of budget padding.

The senate has suspended Abdul Ningi, senator representing Bauchi central, for alleging that the 2024 budget was padded by N3 trillion.

Tuesday's plenary session lasted over three hours, during which the topic was discussed in accordance with the Senate's standing order.

Following a motion on privilege made by Senator Solomon Adeola, who represents Ogun West, the upper legislative chamber suspended the lawmaker.

When Ningi made the accusation and claimed that the budget had caused “huge damage” to the north and the entire country, he sparked a debate over the weekend.

A budget of N28.7 trillion was approved by the national assembly for the fiscal year 2024.

The lawmakers increased President Bola Tinubu's proposed N27.5 trillion by N1.2 trillion.

Adeola claimed during his motion that because he participated in the procedures that resulted in the 2024 budget, his privilege had been violated.

The senator said: “My privilege has been breached because I was one of those who participated in the preparation of the budget. With what has transpired in the last three days, my privilege has been breached.

“One of the senators of this chamber granted an interview to BBC Hausa and issues relating to budget were mentioned.

“For the avoidance of doubt, I have the full transcript notarised - of the interview and I have here in a flash the voice of Abdul Ningi and I want to lay it before the senate.

“For the avoidance of doubt, I have the full transcript notarised - of the interview and I have here in a flash the voice of Abdul Ningi and I want to lay it before the senate.

“It becomes necessary because of the headlines that have come from these interviews.”

The majority of the senators wanted Ningi punished even though he stood up to defend himself and said he had documents to support his claims.

The majority leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, claimed that Ningi's remarks were an attempt to “overthrow” Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

“What he did was tantamount to a coup using the platform of the Northern Senators Forum (NSF),” Bamidele said.

Ningi faced suspension for his claim, as MON DIARIES had previously reported.

See the resignation letter below: