Senate Reinstates Suspended Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi

The Senate has reinstated Abdul Ahmed Ningi, who was suspended on March 12, 2024.

The reinstatement followed a motion moved by Deputy Minority Leader Sen. Abba Moro, who expressed regret on behalf of the suspended senator.

Senator Ningi had been suspended over allegations of padding the 2024 budget by N3.7 trillion. As chairman of the Northern Senators Forum (NSF) and a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District, Ningi made the allegations on the BBC Hausa Service, accusing the National Assembly of budget padding and misinformation related to the 2024 budget.

In response, the NSF distanced itself from Ningi’s claims, calling them uninformed and unparliamentary. Following a heated session led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Ningi was suspended for three months.

Senator Abba Moro accepted full responsibility for Ningi’s actions and acknowledged the severity of the suspension. The senator’s conduct during the suspension period has been under scrutiny and debate within the legislative body.

Senate President Akpabio praised Ningi’s resourcefulness and described him as a valued member of the Senate, emphasizing that the decision to recall him transcended religious and ethnic lines.