Senate Recalls Ningi From Three Months Suspension

Senator Abdul Ningi was recalled by the Senate on May 28 after a three-month suspension. On March 12, Ningi was placed under a three-month suspension by the Senate after asserting, in an interview with BBC Hausa Service, that the National Assembly had approved two 2024 appropriations bills. In addition, he claimed that N3.7 trillion had been added to the 2024 budget.

The Senate dismissed the accusations, stating that the funds were intended for first-line statutory disbursements to federal government agencies.

Ningi’s suspension was, however, removed at the plenary session of Monday, May 28, when a resolution sponsored by the Minority Leader, Abba Moro (PDP – Benue South), entitled “Motion for the unconditional recall of Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi” was considered and adopted.

According to Moro, Ningi’s behavior was entirely his fault, and the Senate minority leadership has apologized to the body on his behalf.

Moro in his lead debate said to the Senate

“Notes that on Tuesday 12th March 2024, this very revered loth Senate in plenary suspended the former Chairman of the Northern Senators’ Forum, Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi of Bauchi Central Senatorial District for three months following a media interview he granted the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Hausa Service on March 9, 2024, in which he alleged that about 3.7 trillion Naira representing over 10% of the 2024 budget was illegally inserted into the 2024 National Budget.

Notes further that Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi was asked to address his allegation of budget padding against the National Assembly, following a motion of urgent national importance moved by Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, the chairman of Senate Committee on Appropriations.

And failing to address the allegation, the Senate resolved to suspend Senator Abdul Ahmed Ning for three months for violating legislative rules, misconduct, and unethical behaviour for the interview he granted on BBC Media on the 2024 Appropriation Act, legislation which process he was part of.

Aware that the said Senator Abdul Ahmed Ninigi, being under suspension, has spent over two months outside the precincts of the National Assembly Complex and needs to return to continue with his legislative activities as the Senator representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District; Flowing from the above the Senate Minority Leadership takes full responsibility for the actions of our colleague Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi and apologizes on his behalf.” [CONTINUE READING HERE]