Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi, who was suspended for alleging that the 2024 appropriation budget was padded with 3.7 trillion naira, has been recalled to the Senate after spending 2 months and 16 days outside the National Assembly.
Suspension and Recall
Ningi was initially given a three-month suspension by the Senate, with a clause allowing his recall if he tendered a written apology. However, on Tuesday, there was no evidence that Ningi submitted a written apology.
Instead, a motion to recall the Bauchi-Central lawmaker was moved by Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, and received unanimous endorsement from the senators. The decision to lift the suspension came after a closed-door session presided over by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
Apology by Proxy
The minority leadership of the Senate took responsibility by apologizing on Ningi’s behalf. The motion recalling Ningi read:
“The Senate notes that on Tuesday 12th March, 2024, this very revered Senate in plenary suspended the former Chairman of the Northern Senators’ Forum, Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi of Bauchi Central Senatorial District for three months following a media interview he granted the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Hausa Service on March 9, 2024, in which he alleged that about 3.7 trillion Naira, representing over 10% of the 2024 budget, was illegally inserted into the 2024 National Budget.
Notes further that Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi was asked to address his allegation of budget padding against the National Assembly, following a motion of urgent national importance moved by Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriations. And failing to address the allegation, the Senate resolved to suspend Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi for three months for violating legislative rules, misconduct, and unethical behavior for the interview he granted on BBC Media on the 2024 Appropriation Act, a legislation which process he was part of.
Aware that the said Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi, being under suspension, has spent over two months outside the precincts of the National Assembly Complex and needs to return to continue with his legislative activities as the Senator representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District;
Flowing from the above, the Senate Minority Leadership takes full responsibility for the actions of our colleague Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi and apologizes on his behalf.
Accordingly, the Senate resolved to reconsider the additional resolution of the Senate (i of the Votes and Proceedings of Wednesday 13th March, 2024) to recall Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi to the Senate as Senator representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District.”
Return to Duties
Senator Ningi is expected to reappear at the National Assembly premises on Thursday to resume his legislative duties.
Why it Matters
The budget padding allegation caused a significant stir in the nation’s politics, prompting widespread uproar among Nigerians and raising public concern about the reputation of the Senate. Despite Senate efforts to quell the discourse by claiming the padding allegations were untrue, these efforts seemed ineffective. This likely prompted the plenary session where the motion for Senator Ningi’s suspension was moved.
Ningi’s suspension appeared to quell the controversy, even though no resolution or clear proof was provided to refute the budget padding claims. This strategy seems to have been taken to mitigate the public outcry and restore some semblance of order. With the immediate goal achieved, the Senate has now moved to reinstate Ningi.
Bottom Line
The recall of Senator Ningi underscores the intricate dynamics of political maneuvering within the Nigerian Senate. While his suspension served to temporarily silence a contentious issue, the lack of transparency regarding the budget padding allegations continues to cast a shadow over the Senate’s integrity.
This episode reflects the ongoing challenges in balancing governance, public accountability, and political strategy in Nigeria’s legislative processes.
