Senator Abdul Ningi
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Population, Senator Abdul Ningi, has been suspended for three months by the Senate over his claim that the 2024 Budget was padded to the tune of N3.7 trillion.
Senator Ningi, (PDP Bauchi Central) had alleged that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government is operating two versions of the 2024 budget.
Speaking on behalf of the Northern Senators’ Forum, Senator Ningi had also claimed, in an interview he granted BBC Hausa Service, that the National Assembly debated and passed N25 trillion as 2024 budget and not the N28.7 trillion that is being implemented by the Federal Government.
While the parties called for a probe into the allegation, some northern senators disowned the claims made by Ningi, saying that the Bauchi State senator did not speak for them.
Senator Ningi, however, maintained his position on Monday that N3.7tn could not be accounted for in the 2024 budget.
Senator Chris Ekpeyong (Akwa-Ibom North-West, PDP) opposed this by moving a motion of amendment that the suspension be reduced to six months, and it was seconded.
Another senator, Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South), however, made further amendment, asking that Ningi be suspended for three months.
After putting the amended motion to a voice vote, Akpabio ruled, “Senator Ningi is hereby suspended from the Senate for a period of three months.”
Immediately after the pronouncement was made, Ningi was led out of the floor of the Senate by one of the Sergeants-at-arm.
