The Senate on Tuesday suspended Senator Abdul Ningi for three months over allegations of padding the 2024 budget by N3.7 trillion.
The lawmakers led by Senator Godswill Akpabio suspended Ningi, who represents Bauchi Central Senatorial District, after a long stormy session.
A member of the Appropriation Committee in the Senate, Jimoh Ibrahim, first 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, who is from Cross River South Senatorial District; and Senator Abdulfatai Buhari from Oyo North prayed for the reduction of the suspension to six and three months respectively.
Akpabio conducted a voice vote and most of the lawmakers voted in support of Ningi’s suspension for three months.
Ningi had said in a BBC Hausa interview that the budget passed by the National Assembly for the 2024 fiscal year was N25 trillion while the one being implemented by the Federal Government is N28.7 trillion.
On Monday, Ningi (PDP-Bauchi Central) denied saying President Bola Tinubu was operating two different budgets for 2024.
Reacting to Ningi’s interview on Sunday in Abuja, the Presidency dismissed his claims as unfortunate, coming from a high-ranking senator.