His suspension was sequel to the adoption of the prayers of a motion moved by Ogun West Senator and chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation.”
By Deborah Hassan
365Daily – The Senate has suspended Bauchi Central Senator, Abdul Ningi, from the Red Chamber for three months following his claim that the 2024 Budget was padded by N3trillion.
Ningi, who doubles as the chairman of Northern Senators Forum (NSF) had also alleged that there were two versions of the budget in circulation.
The Bauchi senator was accused of making the offensive pronouncements in an interview aired by BBC Hausa Service at the weekend, but he would later say he was misquoted because he spoke in Hausa language.
His suspension was sequel to the adoption of the prayers of a motion moved by Ogun West Senator and chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Olamilekan Adeola, on the breach of his privilege due to the allegations. The motion was seconded by Senator Joel Onawakpo.
Speaking on his motion, Sen. Adeola called for an investigation into the claim by Ningi. His position was supported by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, who accused him of ”plotting a coup” against the Senate President Akpabio.
Claiming that the Bauchi lawmaker’s action was a fallout of the June 13, 2023 election of the Senate leadership, which produced Akpabio as the President, Bamidele said, “What my big brother Senator Abdul Ningi planned to do was tantamount to a civilian coup on the platform of the Northern Senators Forum.
“Attempts to take the Senate leadership election beyond June 13 must be stopped.
“Mr. President, make no mistake. A few people who had given you not more than one year on the seat are planning to remove you before June 13 this year.
“Mr President, I plead with you, this is an opportunity to follow our rules. I beg all of you, let’s do the right thing today.”
Sen. Jimoh Ibrahim amended the motion, moving to suspend Ningi for 12 months for breaching the peace of the National Assembly and misinforming the public.
However, other senators recommended six or three months’ suspension.
In his remarks, Senate President Akpabio described Ningi’s allegations as grievous,.
The Senate subsequently voted in favour of a motion to suspend Sen. Ningi for three months.