N3.7trn Budget Padding Allegation: Senate Suspends Ningi For Three-Month

N3.7trn budget padding allegation: Senate Suspends Ningi For three-month

By Aisha Musa,  Abuja.

Senate, on Tuesday, suspended Senator Abdul Ningi for three months over his allegation of N3.7 trillion budget padding in an interview with BBC Hausa.

During the interview Ningi had said the Northern Senators Forum would take up the issue with Senate President Goodwill Akpabio and President Bola Tinubu, insisting another budget was passed “underground.”

Ningi was suspended after about three hours of debate following his interview on BBC.

At a resumed sitting on Tuesday, Senator Adeola Solomon (Ogun West) moved a motion for the senators to debate the allegation.

Adeola said the allegation had breached his privilege as a senator who was part of those that passed the appropriation on the floor of the Senate.

Adeola’s motion was seconded by Senator Ned (Edo South).

After a long debate by Senators on the matter. Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (APC Ondo South), said Ningi should be suspended for months.

Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South), in his contribution, however, pleaded that the suspension be reduced to six months.

Senator Sani Musa (APC Niger) suggested that Ningi should be suspended for three months and should be also made to write an apology letter to the Senate.

After all contributions, Senate President Akpabio said, “Senator Ningi is hereby suspended for three months and disconnected from all activities of the Senate for the three months.”

This was preceded by a voice vote from the Senators.

Ningi denied some of the claims in the interview during a briefing on Monday, saying he was quoted out of context.

Before Ningi’s suspension, his angry colleagues were engaged in a debate on the allegation which threw the Senate into a rowdy session.