The Senate has lifted the suspension of Abdul Ningi, the senator representing Bauchi Central, who had been suspended for three months following allegations that the 2024 budget was padded by N3 trillion.
The recall of Senator Ningi was facilitated by a motion sponsored by Minority Leader Abba Moro, alongside Senators Olalere Oyewumi of Osun South and Osita Ngwu of Enugu West.
The motion was presented on the Senate floor on Tuesday.
Senator Ningi’s suspension, which began in March, came after he failed to substantiate his claims of budget padding.
The Senate had decided on the suspension due to what was deemed a violation of legislative rules, misconduct, and unethical behavior related to an interview he granted to the BBC regarding the 2024 Appropriation Act.
Moving the motion for Ningi’s recall, Moro highlighted that the Bauchi senator had already served two months of his suspension and emphasized the necessity for his return to fulfill his legislative duties.
“Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi was asked to address his allegation of budget padding against the national assembly, following a motion of urgent national importance moved by Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, the chairman, senate committee on appropriations,” Moro explained. “Failing to address the allegation, the senate resolved to suspend Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi for three months for violating legislative rules, misconduct and unethical behavior for the interview he granted on BBC media on the 2024 Appropriation Act, a legislation which he was part of.
“Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi, being under suspension, has spent over two months outside the precincts of the National Assembly Complex and needs to return to continue with his legislative activities as the senator representing Bauchi central senatorial district.
“Flowing from the above, the senate minority leadership takes full responsibility for the actions of our colleague Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi and apologises on his behalf.”
The motion for Ningi’s recall was adopted following a voice vote conducted by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
