Samuel Marshall
The Nigerian Senate, on Tuesday 12th March 2024, underwent another rowdy session following alleged assertions by Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi, representing Bauchi Central Senatorial Zone. The senator had said that the 2024 budget was padded by over N3trn; whereon, he angered the lawmakers who eventually slammed a 3-month suspension on him. The Nigerian Senate, on Tuesday 12th March 2024, underwent another rowdy session following alleged assertions by Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi, representing Bauchi Central Senatorial Zone. The senator had said that the 2024 budget was padded by over N3trn; whereon, he angered the lawmakers who eventually slammed a 3-month suspension on him. A recent interview he granted the BBC Hausa Service had his alleged claim that a disparity exists between the budget of N25trn passed by the senate and the one being implemented by the executive arm of the government valued at N28.7trn.
His statement to the BBC was translated into English, on paper, and shared in the upper legislative chambers.
Another Senator, Adeola Olamilekan representing Ogun West, who had supervised the budget as Chairman, of the Senate Appropriation Committee, opposed the claim before the senate because, according to him, his “privilege had been breached” by the action of Ninji. As deterrent, Olamilekan requested the senate to mete out some punitive measures on Ninji.
A commotion arose, bringing proceedings to a pause.
Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas from Delta State supported Olamilekan’s motion to confront and possibly punish Ninji for having made what he called “presumptuous” and “scandalous” assertions, declaring the claims as attempts to incite the public against the National Assembly and the federal government.
Ninji yet spoke more on other grievances like what he alleged as wrongful sharing formulas in the upper chambers.
In his decision, Senate President Godswill Akpabio condemned the allegations.
The legislators affirmed the motion against Ninji giving him a 3-month suspension.
Meanwhile, the government of Bauchi State has expressed support for Nigi’s submissions as having merit.***
