After the Senate announced his suspension for three months, the senator representing Bauchi Central, Abdul Ningi, has resigned from his position as the chairman of the Northern Senators Forum (NSF).
Ningi was suspended on Tuesday following his allegations that about N3.7 trillion in the budget is not tied to any project.
InsideBusiness had reported how Ningi on Monday insisted that a sum of N3.7trillion in the 2024 budget was not tied to any project.
After making allegations of padding the 2024 budget with N3.7trillion tied to no projects, Ningi a former Deputy Senate leader, was suspended for three months over his comments in an interview he granted to the BBC Hausa Service on Saturday, where he alleged that the budget passed by the National Assembly for the 2024 fiscal year is N25 trillion, while the one being implemented by the Presidency is N28.7 trillion.
He was, however, suspended on Tuesday on the floor of the Senate after a heated atmosphere.
After much controversies, over the allegation, the Senate on Tuesday passed a resolution to suspend the lawmaker for three months.
According to the Senate, there is no evidence proving that the 2024 budget was padded as alleged by Ningi.
Although Ningi’s resignation letter as Chairman of the NSF was dated March 11, a copy was released shortly after Ningi was suspended by the Senate for three months following his comments on the alleged padding of the 2024 budget.
The letter reads: “I would like to resign my position as Chairman of the Northern Senators forum. This is of course necessitated by unfolding events in the National Assembly, the North and the Nation at large.
“I would like to specially thank members of the forum for the opportunity given to me for the last eight (8) months to spearhead this very important forum. I believe this forum is very important and fundamental to the progress and development of Northern Nigeria.”
InsideBusiness reported how Ningi on Monday had said he was not afraid of suspension by the Senate as he was prepared to carry his cross.
According to Ningi, if he is suspended at the end of the day, he would see it as an honour against the backdrop that he believes in one God.
He had said power is transient, explaining that he spoke for himself and not on behalf of the Northern Senators Forum (NSF), where he is chairman.
Ningi had clarified that there was no time during the interview that he said the Federal Government was operating two budgets. He added that he only said that N25 trillion was traced to projects, but that N3.7 trillion was not traced to any project.
Ningi had said: “I said we have established beyond reasonable doubt that N25 trillion so far has nexus in the budget. That means that there is money, there is project, and then there is location.
“But we are yet to ascertain the N3 trillion of that budget. We have established the N3 trillion of that budget, we have not established its location and the place.
“However, I said going forward, the budget evaluation is ongoing. And I said lastly, the intention of the northern senators, as regards budgetary allocation, was to meet the Senate President with our findings and subsequently meet President Bola Tinubu.
“I have never acted as a regional person. And I have never spoken as a regional person, but I’m proud to say I’m a very proud northerner.
“It wasn’t a budget matter, but a budget issue came. I believe in one God, and I believe power is transient. I believe what we are doing is temporary. I’m not scared of whatever you here, I am not scared of any issue like suspension.
“If because I said what I would say, then I will be suspended, so be it. It will be an honour.”
Prior to his suspension on Tuesday, drama ensued when the Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Sen Olamileken Adeola (Ogun West) stormed into the red chamber.
Sen Adeola who was visibly angry in a high tone protested a closed door meeting to address the issue of claims of Ningi, while he kept saying, “No closed door, let’s do it open.”
In a later development, the Senate suspended Ningi, for three months, asking him not to participate in all the activities of the 10th Senate.
The Senate also resolved that if Senator Ningi writes to apologise during the period, he shall be recalled to resume his legislative activities.
The resolution of the Senate on Tuesday was sequel to a motion by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Olamilekan Adeola (APC, Ogun West) on the allegations raised by Ningi of N3trn Budget Padding in the N28.7trn 2024 Appropriation Act and that the budget passed by the National Assembly for 2024 fiscal year is N25 trillion, while the one being implemented by the Presidency is N28.7 trn.
Earlier, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, APC, Ondo South in an additional prayer had asked the Senate to suspend Ningi for an intitial period of twelve months and seconded by Senator Edeh Dafinone, APC, Delta Cenchairman
An additional prayer was moved by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, APC, Cross River South that the suspension be reduced from twelve months to six months and his motion was seconded by Senator Barinada Mpigi, PDP, South East.
The additional prayer for suspension of a period of three months was raised by Senator Musa Garba Maidoki, PDP, Kebbi South and seconded by Senator Sani Musa, APC, Niger East.
The additional prayer was put to vote by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio leading to the suspension.
Comments are closed.