‘Budget padding’: Senate recalls Senator Ningi from suspension

The Senate has recalled the senator representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District, Abdul Ningi, from suspension.

Ningi, who was suspended on March 12 over his allegation of budget padding, was recalled from suspension during plenary in Abuja on Tuesday, May 28, 2024.

His recall followed a motion sponsored by Minority Leader Abba Moro, Olalere Oyewumi (Osun South), and Osita Ngwu (Enugu West).

Moro said Ningi has spent two months away from the Senate, adding that there is a need for the lawmaker to return to his legislative duties.

The Senate Minority Leader said: “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 the Chairman of Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola.

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

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“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 apologises on his behalf.”

The motion was adopted after it was put to a voice vote by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

The Star recalls that Ningi was suspended after he accused the Senate of padding the 2024 appropriation bill to the tune of N3.7 trillion.

The lawmaker had said there was another budget different from what was passed on the floor of the National Assembly.

The senator, in an interview with BBC, alleged that the 2024 budget passed by the National Assembly was inflated, saying what was passed by the lawmakers was N25 trillion and not N28 trillion.

“For example, it was said that there was a budget of N28 trillion but what was passed was N25 trillion. So there is N3 trillion on top,” the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker declared.

Many lawmakers later called for a probe into the allegation, while some northern senators disowned Ningi’s claims, saying the senator did not speak for them.

Ningi, however, maintained his position that N3.7 trillion could not be accounted for in the 2024 budget.

The Senate, thereafter, suspended Ningi for alleged misconduct and refusal to apologise.

The Star