The Senate has taken the decision to suspend Senator Abdul Ningi, the former Senate Deputy Leader and Chairman of the Northern Senators Forum (NSF), representing PDP, Bauchi Central, for three months.
During this period, Senator Ningi is barred from participating in any activities within the 10th Senate.
However, the Senate also stipulated that if Senator Ningi submits a formal apology during this period, he may be reinstated to resume his legislative duties.
This resolution was reached on Tuesday following a motion brought forth by Senator Olamilekan Adeola, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, representing APC, Ogun West.
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The motion addressed allegations raised by Senator Ningi regarding a purported N3 trillion Budget Padding in the N28.7 trillion 2024 Appropriation Act.
Senator Ningi asserted that while the budget passed by the National Assembly for the 2024 fiscal year was N25 trillion, the version implemented by the Presidency amounted to N28.7 trillion.
Amidst discussions on these allegations, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, representing APC, Ondo South, proposed an initial twelve-month suspension for Senator Ningi, a motion seconded by Senator Edeh Dafinone, representing APC, Delta Central.
However, an amendment was made by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, representing APC, Cross River South, to reduce the suspension to six months. Subsequently, Senator Musa Garba Maidoki, representing PDP, Kebbi South, introduced an additional amendment proposing a three-month suspension, which was seconded by Senator Sani Musa, representing APC, Niger East.
Following a vote on the additional amendment, presided over by the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, at 3:19 pm, Senator Ningi left the chamber immediately.
This incident is reminiscent of the Senate’s suspension of former Majority Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, for six months in 2017, for not conducting due diligence before filing a petition against Senate President Bukola Saraki and Senator Dino Melaye, then representing Kogi West.
The Senate session on Tuesday was marked by a tumultuous atmosphere as discussions unfolded around the allegations raised by Senator Ningi, further complicating matters with the involvement of Senator Olamilekan Adeola, who asserted that his privileges had been infringed upon.
Senator Adeola presented a notarized transcription of an interview granted by Senator Ningi to the BBC Hausa Service, where Ningi alleged the budget discrepancies mentioned earlier.
Amidst the confusion, Senator Adamu Aliero, representing PDP, Kebbi Central, emphasized the need for Senator Ningi to be given a fair hearing according to constitutional provisions.