The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday suspended Senator Abdul Ningi for three over allegations of N3.7trn padding of the 2024 Budget.
Before Senator Ningi’s suspensi
on, the Upper Legislative Chamber was thrown into a chaotic session following deliberations on budget padding allegations made by the lawmaker.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Solomon Olamilekun, who moved the motion that led to the suspension of Senator Ningi, explained that the figure is not contained in the budget because some of the agencies are on first line charge.
Sen. Adeola Solomon-Ogun West.
However Senator Ningi, who was given a fair hearing on the floor of the Senate, maintained his position that N3.7tn could not be accounted for in the 2024 budget.
Sen. Abdul Ningi-Bauchi Central
But matters got to a head when Senator Agom Jarigbe revealed that dwelling on the issues will not help issues as all the lawmakers are culpable in the alleged budget padding scandal.
He further revealed that while some lawmakers received N500 million, others got as much as N100 billion from the budget.
Jarigbe’s claim however did not go down well with his colleagues as his declaration threw the session into a rowdy one for nearly 30 minutes.
Sen. Jarigbe Agom-Cross River North
Meanwhile, the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele accused Senator Ningi of an ulterior motive of plotting a coup against Akpabio Senate Presidency.
The Senate leader claimed that the Bauchi lawmaker’s action was a fallout of the June 13, 2023 election of the Senate leadership, which produced Akpabio as the Senate President.
Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele–Senate Leader
A member of the Appropriation Committee in the Senate, Jimoh Ibrahim, first moved the motion for Ningi’s suspension for 12 months over allegations of criminal misinformation and breach of peace in the National Assembly and the country by extension.
Sen. Jimoh Ibrahim-Ondo South
However, other lawmakers like Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong moved for the amendment of the motion by Ibrahim. Ekpenyong prayed for the reduction of the suspension.
Sen. Asuquo Ekpenyong-Cross River South
After deliberations under the leadership of President of the Senate Godswill Akpabio, the Senate resolved to suspend Senator Ningi for three months from all activities of Parliament while Senator Kawu got off with a warning.
Sen. Godswil Akpabio-Senate President
Shortly after his suspension Senator Abdul Ningi resigned his position as the Chairman of Northern Senators forum.
