In response to the demand to lift the suspension on Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central), Eyiboh Eseme, the media aide to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, provided a clarification.
A seven-day ultimatum was given to the Red Chamber by Ningi, through his lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), to lift the suspension or face legal action.
On March 12, the Senate imposed a three-month suspension on Ningi due to his allegation that the 2024 budget was padded with N3.7tn by the National Assembly.
During an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation (Hausa Service), Ningi stated that the National Assembly passed a budget of N25tn for the 2024 fiscal year, while the Presidency implemented a budget of N28.7tn.
However, Ningi clarified that his claim was only about the Senate’s alleged padding of N3.7tn.
He explained, “We have confirmed N25tn in the budget which indicates money, a project, and a location. But the whereabouts of N3.7tn is yet to be ascertained.”
Falana, in a letter to the Senate President, deemed Ningi’s suspension a violation of Section 111 of the Constitution and Article 13 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights Act.
Responding to the letter in an interview, Eyiboh stated, “The Senate is an institution established by law, not by individuals. Senator Ningi’s suspension was imposed by the Senate, not by any individual. Linking any individual’s name to Ningi’s suspension is without basis and a distraction.”