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JUST IN: Ningi resigns as northern senators forum chairman
Although the resignation letter was dated March 11, a copy was released shortly after Ningi was suspended by the Senate for three months following his comments on the alleged padding of the 2024 budget.
The senator representing Bauchi Central, Abdul Ningi, has resigned from his position as the chairman of the Northern Senators Forum.
Ningi was suspended on Tuesday following his allegations that about N3.7 trillion in the budget is unaccounted for in terms of project implementation.
In response to the allegation, the Senate passed a resolution to suspend the lawmaker for three months.
According to the Senate, there is no evidence proving that the 2024 budget was padded as alleged by Ningi.
Although the resignation letter was dated March 11, a copy was released shortly after Ningi was suspended by the Senate for three months following his comments on the alleged padding of the 2024 budget.
It reads: “I would like to resign my position as the Chairman of the Northern Senators forum. This is of course necessitated by unfolding events in the National Assembly, the North and the Nation at large.
“I would like to specially thank members of the forum for the opportunity given to me for the last eight (8) months to spearhead this very important forum. I believe this forum is very important and fundamental to the progress and development of Northern Nigeria,” Ningi added.
Suspension
The Senate earlier suspended the former Senate Deputy Leader and Chairman, Northern Senators Forum, NSF, Senator Abdul Ningi, PDP, Bauchi Central for three months, asking him not to participate in all the activities of the 10th Senate.
The Senate also resolved that if Senator Ningi writes to apologise during the period, he shall be recalled to resume his legislative activities.
The resolution of the Senate on Tuesday was sequel to a motion by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Olamilekan Adeola, APC, Ogun West on the allegations raised by Ningi of N3 trillion Budget Padding in the N28.7trillion 2024 Appropriation Act and that the budget passed by the National Assembly for 2024 fiscal year is N25 trillion while the one being implemented by the Presidency is N28.7 trillion.
Earlier, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, APC, Ondo South in an additional prayer had asked the Senate to suspend Ningi for an intitial period of twelve months and seconded by Senator Edeh Dafinone, APC, Delta Central.
An additional prayer was moved by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, APC, Cross River South that the suspension be reduced from twelve months to six months and his motion was seconded by Senator Barinada Mpigi, PDP, South East.
The additional prayer for suspension of a period of three months was raised by Senator Musa Garba Maidoki, PDP, Kebbi South and seconded by Senator Sani Musa, APC, Niger East.
Soon after the additional prayer was put to vote by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio at 3.19 pm, Senator Ningi immediately packed the heavy documents he came with left the hallowed Chamber.
