The Senate, led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, suspended Senator Abdul Ningi on Tuesday after he alleged that the 2024 budget was padded by N3.7 trillion.
Ningi, representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District, was suspended for three months after a heated session in the Senate.
Jimoh Ibrahim, a member of the Appropriation Committee in the Senate, initially proposed a 12-month suspension for Ningi, citing criminal misinformation and breach of peace in the National Assembly and the country.
However, other lawmakers, like Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong from Cross River South Senatorial District and Senator Abdulfatai Buhari from Oyo North, suggested amending the motion. They proposed reducing the suspension to six and three months, respectively.
Akpabio, who described Ningi’s actions as serious, conducted a voice vote where most lawmakers supported Ningi’s suspension for three months.
In an interview, Ningi claimed that the Federal Government is using two versions of the 2024 budget and that the N28.7 trillion budget approved by President Bola Tinubu was unfair to the North.
Many Senators and the Presidency criticized Ningi, calling his claims unrealistic for someone in his position.
Later, Ningi denied saying there were two budgets but maintained that only N25 trillion was allocated to projects while N3.7 trillion had no specific projects attached.
On Monday, Ningi expressed willingness to face consequences, even if it meant being suspended from the Senate.
