Budget-padding claim: Ningi returns to Senate after 75-day suspension
CHIGOZIE AMADI
The senator representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District, Mr Abdul Ningi, on Tuesday, returned to the National Assembly, 75 days after he was suspended by the Senate.
Ningi’s suspension by the Senate on March 12, 2024 stemmed from a controversial interview in which he alleged discrepancies in the 2024 budget, claiming the National Assembly approved N25tn while the President signed N28.7tn.
In the interview with the BBC (Hausa Service) he claimed that the sum of N3.7tn in the 2024 budget was not traceable to any project of location.
He, however, had difficulty defending the allegation on the floor of the Senate when taken on, leading to his suspension for three months.
Following his suspension, Ningi lost his position as the Chairman, Committee on National Identity and Population, a role taken over by Mustapha Musa (APC, Yobe East).
He was also replaced by the All Progressives Congress Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua representing Katsina Central as the Chairman of the Northern Senators’ Forum.
Last week Tuesday, the Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South) pleaded with the senators in a motion during plenary to recall Ningi who had already spent 75 days on suspension. The prayer was subsequently granted.
On Tuesday, Ningi arrived at the National Assembly Complex alongside Suleiman Kawu (NNPP, Kano South), and Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (PDP, Sokoto South), among others.
Speaking on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday, Ningi told his colleagues that it was time to move on.
“It’s time to move on,” he said, just as the Senate President welcomed him on behalf of other senators, saying, “Bygones should be bygones.”
Citing Order 42 of the Senate Standing Rules, Ningi thanked his colleagues for the gesture, stating that he was away in Turkey when he learnt of his recall from suspension.
He said, “Mr President, distinguished colleagues, I rise with profound humility to commend the Senate, its President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, the Senate leadership and the minority caucus for recalling me from suspension.
“I was in Turkey when the news got to me last week and I’m very much appreciative of the gesture. I’m happy to be back at home because the National Assembly is like home to me, having served as House Leader and Deputy Senate Leader in the past and now, as one of the distinguished serving senators.
“I also thank my state governor, Bala Mohammed, the people of Bauchi State and other Nigerians who reached out to me in one way or another during the period that has now been put behind.”
Responding on behalf of the Senate, Akpabio said, “Distinguished Senator Abdul Ningi, you are a very resourceful person needed in the 10th Senate. The electorate from the Bauchi Central Senatorial District voted for you. You are welcome and let bygones be bygones.”
The resumption of plenary duty by the Senate was merely symbolic as the legislative chamber adjourned till Wednesday (today), owing to the industrial action called by the labour unions which was called off mid-day on Tuesday
