The Senate on Tuesday reinstated Senator Abdul Ningi, who represents Bauchi Central under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), after a three-month suspension.
Ningi was suspended on March 12 for alleging in a BBC Hausa Service interview that the National Assembly had passed two versions of the 2024 Appropriation Bill and padded the budget by N3.7 trillion.
The Senate denied these allegations, explaining that the disputed amount was for statutory transfers to federal institutions.
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Ningi’s lawyer, Femi Falana SAN, wrote to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, demanding Ningi’s reinstatement within seven days or face legal action.
Akpabio clarified that Ningi’s suspension was a collective decision by the Senate, not his unilateral action.
The suspension was lifted following the consideration and adoption of a motion titled “Motion for the Unconditional Recall of Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi,” sponsored by Minority Leader Abba Moro (PDP – Benue South).
Moro, apologizing on Ningi’s behalf, stated that the minority leadership took full responsibility for Ningi’s actions.
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Moro’s motion emphasized that Ningi had already spent over two months out of the National Assembly and needed to resume his legislative duties.
He noted that Ningi’s suspension followed his failure to substantiate his allegations of budget padding when challenged by Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations.
Moro urged the Senate to reconsider its previous resolution and reinstate Ningi. The Senate approved the motion through a voice vote led by Senate President Akpabio during the plenary.
This decision allows Ningi to resume his legislative responsibilities and continue representing the Bauchi Central Senatorial District.