The Senate on Tuesday, May 28, recalled Senator Abdul Ningi from a three-month suspension.
Ningi representing Bauchi Central on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was on March 12, suspended for three months by the Senate for claiming during a BBC Hausa Service interview that the National Assembly passed two 2024 Appropriation Bills.
He also alleged that the 2024 budget was padded to the tune of N3.7 trillion.
The Senate had rejected the allegations, saying the amount was meant for statutory transfers to federal government institutions on first-line charge.
Ningi had through his counsel, Femi Falana SAN, wrote to the Senate president and gave him seven days ultimatum to recall him or face legal action.
Akpabio in his reaction to the ultimatum said the suspension of Ningi was not a unilateral action by him but the collective decision of the Senate.
However, the suspension was lifted on Tuesday following the consideration and adoption of a motion titled: “Motion for the unconditional recall of Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi, sponsored by the Minority Leader, Abba Moro, from PDP – Benue South.
Moro said that the minority leadership of the Senate has taken full responsibility for Ningi’s action and apologised to the Senate 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 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.
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“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 behavior 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.”
He urged the Senate to reconsider the additional resolution of the Senate of the Votes and Proceedings of Wednesday 13th March, 2024, to recall Senator Abdul Ahmad Ning to the Senate as senator representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District.
Senators approved the prayer of the motion when it was put to voice vote by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary.
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