The Senate has taken the decision to suspend Senator Abdul Ningi for a duration of three months following his allegation regarding the padding of N3.7 trillion into the 2024 budget.
Ningi, who chairs the Senate Committee on Population and represents PDP, Bauchi Central, faced calls for investigation into his claims, with some northern senators distancing themselves from his assertions.
Despite opposition, Ningi maintained his stance on Monday, reiterating the unaccounted N3.7 trillion in the 2024 budget.
During Tuesday’s plenary session, Senator Olamilekan Adeola (APC, Ogun West) raised a motion to urgently address Ningi’s false allegation, presenting the transcript of Ningi’s interview with Hausa BBC.
Subsequently, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim proposed a 12-month suspension for Ningi, with a warning for Senator Sumaila Kawu (Kano South, NNPP). However, Senator Chris Ekpeyong (Akwa-Ibom North-West, PDP) countered with an amendment, suggesting a six-month suspension, which gained support. Another senator proposed a three-month suspension.
Details of the decision are awaited.