Senator Abdul Ningi of Bauchi North Senatorial District has resumed Senate sessions on Tuesday following a three-month suspension. The Senate lifted his suspension, which began on March 12, 2024, after a motion by Deputy Minority Leader Senator Abba Moro expressing regret on Ningi’s behalf. Senator Moro committed to taking full responsibility for Ningi’s previous actions, acknowledging the seriousness of the suspension.
During Ningi’s suspension, his behavior was thoroughly examined and debated within the Senate. Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced Ningi’s unconditional recall after appeals from fellow lawmakers. Akpabio highlighted Ningi’s valuable contributions and emphasized that the decision to reinstate him was made without regard to religious or ethnic considerations.
Ningi’s suspension stemmed from remarks he made in an interview with BBC Hausa. He alleged disparities in the 2024 budget figures, stating that the National Assembly approved ₦25 trillion while the Presidency implemented ₦28.7 trillion. Despite facing pressure to recant his claim, Ningi stood by his assertion that the budget was padded. This led to uproar in the Senate, with some colleagues demanding an apology and others moving motions for his suspension.
At the end of the deliberation, the Senate suspended Ningi for three months, but this did not prompt him to retract his statement.