THE Senate, on Tuesday, wielded the big stick on Senator Abdul Ningi.
For claiming that the 2024 Budget was padded to the tune of N3.7trn, his colleagues suspended him for three months.
For him to return to the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly, Ningi, from Bauchi Central Senatorial District, must also apologise in writing.
It was a stormy session in the red chamber as a member of the Appropriation Committee in the Senate, Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo South), moved the motion for Ningi’s suspension for 12 months over allegations of criminal misinformation and breach of peace in the National Assembly and the country by extension.
However, other lawmakers like Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong moved for the amendment of the motion by Ibrahim.
Ekpenyong (Cross River South Senatorial District) and Senator Abdulfatai Buhari (Oyo North) prayed for the reduction of the suspension to six and three months respectively.
Akpabio, who described Ningi’s offences as “grievous”, conducted a voice vote during which most of the lawmakers voted in support of Ningi’s suspension for three months.
Ningi had claimed that the Federal Government “is operating two versions of the 2024 Budget” and that the N28.7 trillion Budget passed and signed into law by President Bola Tinubu was skewed against the North.
Some Senators and the Presidency immediately pounced on Ningi, saying that his utterances were capable of setting the country on fire.
The controversy set the tone for Ningi’s suspension on Tuesday.
The upper chamber’s resolution was also sequel to a motion by Senator Solomon Adeola (APC-Ogun).
The motion was titled: “Urgent Need to Address the False Allegations Against the Senate and the Presidency on the 2024 Appropriation Act by Sen. Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central).”
The initial prayers of the upper chamber was “allow for immediate deliberation of the matter and take appropriate action deemed fit in the overriding public interest and to prevent break down of law and order.
“Take further necessary steps to correct the wrong impression in public domain of 2024 budget created by the BBC interview and other national media houses and social media platforms by Sen. Ningi.
“And amplified by Sen. Suleiman Kawu (NNPP-Kano) through his facebook account and other social media platforms; and
“Take any further decision as the Senate deems fit and proper to safeguard the integrity of the 2024 Budget which is pivotal to the revamping of our economy.”
Sen. Jimoh Ibrahim (APC-Ondo) had moved for an additional prayer that Ningi be suspended for an initial period of 12 months while Sen. Edeh Dafinone (APC-Delta) seconded.
But, Sen. Garba Maidoki (PDP-Kebbi) moved a motion for an amended prayer that the suspension should be for three months which was seconded by Sen. Sani Musa (APC-Niger).
Earlier, moving the motion, Adeola as Chairman Senate Committee on Appropriation, said that the additional increase of N1.2 trillion was presented by the President during the appropriation process.
“This was through additional funding requests.
“The additional source of funding for the increase came from the increase in the benchmark of naira to dollar from N750-N800, increase in Government Owned Enterprises (GOEs) revenue and other sources.
“The false allegations including that of the 2024 Budget being against the “North” has since generated debate in the media and general public with aspersions on all senators, the Senate and the National Assembly.”
In his own defence, Ningi said , “I think Sen. Adeola has done a fair job except on some issues that I do not understand. I never said the budget was padded.
“I never issued any of these statements. This is a fake contribution that was forwarded, I do not know the author of this,” Ningi told the Senate.
In his contribution, Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele said what Ningi had set to do “was tantamount to a civilian coup.”
Earlier, Akpabio said that “Ningi told me he had paid the consultant N30 million to conduct the investigation.
“Ningi called some of us for a meeting. When he told me this, I told him I would like to see the details.
“But i didn’t receive it, but you had the opportunity to attend a BBC interview. It’s only you that has the document you have. I don’t have it.
“I want Nigerians to know that what President Bola Tinubu presented to the National Assembly was N27.5 trillion, at no time did the President present N25 trillion.
“The integrity of this Chamber has been totally damaged,” he said.
