Ningi’s suspension: Northern Groups calls for probe, resignation of Senate President, Akpabio

From Ajiya Ayuba, Bauchi

The Almagamention of Bauchi state concerned groups has followed the suspension of Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District, called for the immediate probe and resignation of the Senate President, Goodwill Akpabio.

The Groups described the suspension of Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi by the national assembly as unlawful, hasty and undemocratic.

The chairman of the groups, Umar Sa’id Maigamo made this known during in a press conference held at the Nigeria Union of journalists, NUJ, secretariat, Bauchi State chapter.

Recall that the National Assembly led by Senator Goodwill Akpabio representing Akwa- North-west senatorial district had weeks ago suspended Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi for alleging that the Senate padded the 2024 budget to the tune of 3.7trillion naria.

According to the groups: “We wish to address all Nigerians on the decision by the Senate over the suspension of Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi, senator representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District. We consider this decision as premeditated, hasty, unlawful and undemocratic on several grounds.

“You may wish to recall that Senator Abdul Ningi in an attempt to exercise his legislative and constitution right granted an interview to the BBC Hausa Service where he raised pertinent issues regarding the 2024 budget. In the said Interview, the senator revealed that there were some anomalies in the budget where he specifically stated that the sum of 3.7 trillion naira could not be traced to any projects or location in the 2024 budget.

“Senator Ningi’s assertion was corroborated by several professional groups including Budgit Foundation, a renowned civil society organization promoting accountability and transparency in public spending in Nigeria.

However, in a rare display of Injustice, disdain for the rule of law and democratic tenets, the Senate President, Senator Goodwill Akpabio at the plenary held on 12 March, 2024 announced the suspension of Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi for 3 months’ they said.

The Almagamention of Bauchi state concerned groups however, lampooned the Senate leadership led by senator Goodwill Akpabio by bringing a diversionary antics to cover up the alleged #3.7 trillion naira 2024 budget padding by turning the issue into North and South dichotomy.

“We view this action of the Senate as an attempt not only to conceal the truth but to prevent the senator from exercising his legislative duties and constitutional right.

“we wish to draw the attention of all Nigerians, on the diversionary antics by the leadership of the Senate to cover up the mess by turning the issue into North and South dichotomy.

They however,, demanded as follows:”That the Senate President should immediately step aside and allow investigation of the allegations in line with the rules of the Senate.

“The Senate should immediately withdraw the illegal and undemocratic suspension of Senator Ningi and tender an unreserved apology to the senator and to the good people of Bauchi Central Senatorial District whom he ably represents.

“Order for an investigation into the allegation of 500 million naria given to some selected ranking senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“That the 2024 budget be reviewed and all anomalies therein be corrected with immediate effect” they stated.