Nigeria’s Senate suspends Senator Abdul Ningi for three months following his claims of unaccounted N3.7 trillion in the 2024 budget. The suspension comes after a probe was called into Ningi’s allegations, which some northern senators disowned.
The Nigerian Senate has taken disciplinary action against Senator Abdul Ningi, representing Bauchi Central senatorial district, by suspending him for three months. This decision comes in response to claims made by Ningi in an interview with the BBC, where he accused the National Assembly of mishandling N3.7 trillion in the 2024 budget.
In the interview, Ningi, who also serves as the chairman of the Northern Senators Forum, revealed that northern senators had engaged consultants to review the budget. He expressed concern over the alleged damage inflicted on the north and the entire country due to discrepancies in the budget allocation.
Following Ningi’s statements, a probe was initiated into the allegations. However, some northern senators distanced themselves from Ningi’s claims, stating that he did not consult with them before making such assertions.
Despite the controversy surrounding his remarks, Senator Abdul Ningi reaffirmed his position on Monday, insisting that the N3.7 trillion discrepancy in the 2024 budget cannot be accounted for.
The suspension of Senator Ningi underscores the seriousness with which the Nigerian Senate views allegations related to budgetary mismanagement. This development highlights the need for transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s legislative processes.