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Tag: Ningi

  • Arewa Initiative call for Senator Ningi’s unconditional reinstatement

    Arewa Initiative call for Senator Ningi’s unconditional reinstatement

    …as Bauchi youths issue Senate two-week ultimatum to reverse his suspension

    The Rebuild Arewa Initiative for Development (RAID) has called for the unconditional reinstatement of the Senator representing Bauchi central, Abdul Ningi.

    It would be recalled that Ningi was suspended for three months from the National Assembly due to his claims of Budget padding of N3.7 trillion.

    The group said the senator’s attempt to shine a light on veiled corruption seemed courageous and necessary, and his suspension is nothing less than catastrophic, dispossessing the north of its most potent political mouthpiece.

    President of the group, Balarabe Rufai, made this known during a press conference in Abuja titled, ‘Revisiting the suspension of Sen. Abdul Ningi: calls for restoration amidst political turmoil.’

    He said the ripple of support for Senator Ningi from Nigerians, especially those from the North, has taken shape as an unyielding wave of unity.

    His words, “Senator Ningi’s attempts to shine a light on veiled corruptions seemed both courageous and necessary. Nonetheless, his expulsion from the Senate floors is nothing less than a catastrophe, dispossessing us of one of our most potent political mouthpieces.

    “The shockwaves of his suspension have triggered divisive views amongst his peers, with one senator condemning Ningi’s move as a so-called ‘civil coup’ and another calling for a meticulous investigation by the Ethics and Privileges Committee. Adding insult to injury, Senator Ningi has been stripped of his emoluments, his salary and allowances withheld, in what appears to be an injustice to his service and commitment.

    “The ripple of support for Abdul Ningi from Nigerians, especially those hailing from the North, has taken shape as an unyielding wave of unity. We stand firm in our call for his swift and unconditional reinstatement. By marginalising one of our most articulate and staunch advocates, the assembly has inflicted a blow not only on an individual senator but has also shaken the democratic bedrock upon which our society stands. This is a bellwether that we, as a people committed to justice and democracy, cannot afford to ignore.”

    The Secretary, RAID, Dr. Salisu Zigau, on his part, said the Senate cannot make decisions illegally and expect it to stand in the court of law or court of public opinion.

    Read Also: Herders/farmers crisis in Benue politicised – Prof. Uza

    He said the Senate has its rules on the conduct and discipline of errant members and such an offence should not warrant more than a month suspension rather than the three months handed down to Sen. Ningi.

    Zigau said if the the suspension is not lifted, they would be forced to challenge the illegal and brutal suspension.

    In a related development, constituents of the Bauchi Central Senatorial District, represented by Ningi, have also condemned the Senate’s decision to suspend him for three months over what they described as his sincere concern about irregularities in the 2024 national budget.

    Ningi was suspended by the Senate last Tuesday for three-months for his comments on the untraceable N3.7 trillion in the 2024 budget.

    Ningi would later resign as Chairman of the Northern Senators Forum (NSF).

    Reacting to his suspension, the constituents, under the aegis of Youth Coalition of Bauchi Central Senatorial District said rather than suspending Ningi, the Red Chamber should instead investigate the irregularities he raised with a view to addressing them in the best interest of the country.

  • Ningi’s budget padding claim: Knock for PDP over resignation call on Akpabio

    Ningi’s budget padding claim: Knock for PDP over resignation call on Akpabio

    The dust is yet to settle over the N3.7 trillion budget padding claim by former Northern Senators Forum (NSF) Chairman Abdul Ningi against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

    Yesterday, the Senate rejected the call for Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s resignation by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)over the allegation, saying that it is morally reprehensible.

    Also, the PDP Caucus in the Senate, which frowned at the party’s demand, said it was inappropriate to ask Akpabio to step down over the nebulous claim.

    The Senate had suspended Ningi, a PDP senator from Bauchi Central, on Tuesday for three months for making the unsubstantiated claim.

    Refuting the claim, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Solomon Adeola, explained that what Ningi referred to as padding were provisions for statutory transfers to organs of government on direct line charge.

    Following Ningi’sresignation as NSF chairman, senators from the region selected Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua as new Chairman.

    Why Akpabio can’t resign, by Senate

    Chiding the PDP for calling for Akpabio’s resignation, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Yemi Adaramodu, (APC – Ekiti South), said in a statement that the party was backing a spurious claim.

    He said: “The PDP has elevated chicanery to statecraft and fatally failed in its sordid attempt to hoodwink the unsuspecting public, on the ineffectual but spurious allegations of budget padding.

    “The party’s ludicrous call for the resignation of Senator Godswill Akpabio as the Senate President is unthinkable and shows the party as a massaging balm for falsehood and immoral legislative outbursts.”

    Adaramodu said  “Akpabio will not resign and  has no intention to resign at any time because he has not committed any wrong doing to warrant a resignation”.

    He added: “It is shocking that the PDP leadership could not comprehend what transpired at Tuesday’s plenary where the allegations were debated and Senator Abdul Ningi, who was given the ample opportunity to defend himself and prove the budget padding allegations was suspended after he failed to substantiate his claims in the full glare of the public.

     “Contrary to the contention by the PDP that  N3.7 trillion was discreetly inserted into the 2024 budget for alleged non-existent projects, and what transpired on the floor of the Chamber, it is open knowledge that no such absurdity is found in the budget passed by the National Assembly and signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which is being implemented judiciously by the  Federal government.

    “Perhaps, the N3.7trn being mentioned in the PDP’s shocking statement exists only in the fickle minds of its purveyors and serves as a dubious version of the budget generated by PDP’s ‘unidentified political flying objects.”

    Adaramodu said the Senate did not violate the constitution and its Standing Rules and Orders,

    by not referring the matter to a relevant committee.

    He explained that Senate referred the matter to the the Committee of the Whole in the spirit of transparency and fairness, adding that the method gave opportunity to the public to follow the proceedings, have a value judgement and know  who was lying to the nation.

    Adramodu said: “Contrary to the unspeakable grandstanding, Senator Ningi was never intimidated or harassed; neither was he gagged nor denied the privilege to exercise his right of reply as the senator was given ample opportunity to defend himself.

    “But the whole world saw how he floundered, since he had no verifiable facts to substantiate his allegations and his futile efforts to  defend lies.

    “So, the decision to debate the matter in the Committee of the Whole was in sync with the resolve of the leadership of the 10th Senate under Senator Akpabio to stand for transparency, justice and fairness.

    “The proceedings of the plenary were transmitted live by at least five popular national television stations, making all right thinking people to wonder the basis on which the PDP is questioning the process.

    “The PDP expected the Senate to sweep the unfounded allegations under the carpet, but the 10th Senate under the leadership of Senate President Akpabio has zero tolerance for corruption, insipid lies and egregious falsehood such as the N3.7trn budget padding allegations and could not have conducted the investigation in the closet as suggested by the PDP.

    Read Also: Tinubu writes House, seeks repeal, re-enactment of Student Loan Bill

    “The Senate and the House of Representatives made the Appropriations Law, hence, the suspended senator disparaged and impugned on the social, political and legislative integrity of all.

    “No amount of lies and fake allegations will distract the 10th Senate, under Senator Godswill Akpabio, from delivering good legislation and effective oversight for which Nigerians elected us for.”

    Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro (PDP – Benue South) could not be reached for the position of PDP lawmakers on the call by their party on Akpab placed to his phone were not answered as at the time of filing this report.

    However, the Secretary of the Southern Senators’ Forum, Senator Mpigi Barinada (PDP – Rivers South East) described Akpabio as the best Senate President.

    He said 80 per cent of Senators are behind Akpabio, stressing that there was no PDP decision that he should step down.

    Barinada said: “As the most ranking senator of the PDP, the Senate President, is the best Senate President. We can’t ask him to step down.

    “We have the full control. The Senate President is in charge. It is not a matter of political party. He is in charge of the Senate. Over 80 percent of senators are totally in support of him.

    On PDP statement calling on Akpabio to resign, Barinada maintained: “There is no PDP decision of such.”

    Yar’Adua replaces Ningi NSF chairman

    Senator Yar’Adua (APC – Katsina Central) yesterday replaced Ningi as NFS chairman,  48 hours after his resignation.

    He was unanimously endorsed by Senators from the three geo-political zones in the North.

    The Northern senators also appointed Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno (APC – Borno North) as Publicity Secretary of the forum.

    He replaced Senator Summaila Kawu ( NNPP – Kano South) who was warned by the Senate to desist from false information.

    Yar’Adua said the major objective of the Forum is to promote the interest of Nigeriaand the development of the North through collaboration with their counterparts from the South .

    He also said the Forum would cooperate with the Executive to ensure that the challenges of the region are attended to.

    Yar’Adua told reporters: “We Shall therefore, work in consultation with our colleagues to preserve the unity and progress of our dear nation.

    “In advancing these noble objectives, I am committed to streamlining activities within the Northem Senators Forum. We shall operate with transparency, accountability, and integrity, upholding the trust placed on us by the electorate.

    “Our legislative discourse will continue to be characterized by civility, dignity, and adherence to the rule of law as we fulfill our lawmaking, policy-making, and oversight functions.

    “I am confident that with our collective efforts and cooperation, we can effect positive change, uplift the North, and contribute to the overall development of our great nation”.

    In his acceptance speech, Yar’Adua said: “I am deeply honored and humbled to communicate to you today my acceptance as the Chairman of the Northern Senators Forum.

    “I extend my heartfelt gratitude to my distinguished colleagues for this vote of confidence in me, following the resignation of my distinguished elder brother, Senator Abdul Ningi, whom I hold in high esteem. I wish to acknowledge and commend the decent outing and the contributions he made during his tenure.

    “I am aware of the challenges facing the Northern region, which Include security, agriculture,education, healthcare, drug abuse and human trafficking etc,  which will be tackled with more vibrant legislations in collaboration with our southern counterparts.”

  • Ningi suspension: Senate Rules must be obeyed, says Abaribe

    Ningi suspension: Senate Rules must be obeyed, says Abaribe

    • PDP, Bauchi Governor Mohammed back embattled senator
    • Obi: suspension doesn’t address budget padding allegation

    Torrents of reactions have trailed the suspension of the senator representing Bauchi Central, Abdul Ahmed Ningi, for three months over his allegation that this year’s budget was padded with N3.7 trillion.

    While some prominent Nigerians and groups have expressed support for the suspension of the senator, others have queried the essence of the suspension.

    The senator representing Abia South, Enyinnaya Abaribe, said he would have handled the suspension of Ningi differently, if he were the presiding officer of the Senate.

    Speaking yesterday on Arise Television’s “Morning Show”, Abaribe said he was part of those who moved around and tried to moderate the tense atmosphere in the Senate on Tuesday.

    The lawmaker said the view of the Senate prevailed, despite his and others’ intervention as elders of the Red Chamber of the National Assembly.

    He said: “We have rules. Our rule says in Section 66 that if you bring the Senate to disrepute… I think there are several aspects of that Section 66 in our rules which you can discipline a senator.

    “But there’s also another part of the argument that says that under the section, I think 2C (14) or so, where a constituency must be represented.

    “I am an elder in the Senate, and I was part of those that went around and said: ‘Please, can we moderate this?’ But the view of the Senate prevailed.

    “If I was, of course, the presiding officer, probably we would have run it differently.

    “At a point at which Senator Olamilekan Adeola had made that clarification, should have been where we should have ended the matter. But, of course, the matter nosedived. It is what it is.

    “I think we can just move on. The rule must be adhered to. Any system without rules will just devolve into chaos. That’s all.”

    Also, main opposition yesterday asked Senate President Godswill Akpabio to step aside over the budget padding allegation by one of its members, Senator Ningi.

    In a statement in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, the PDP also urged the Senate President to report to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over financial offences he allegedly committed when he was Akwa Ibom State governor and the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.

    Read Also: Bauchi Gov backs Ningi amid Senate’s suspension

    But Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed said his administration stood with Ningi.

    Speaking yesterday during the State Executive Council (Exco) meeting at the Government House in Bauchi, Mohammed said: “Yesterday (Tuesday), I was very sad that the Senate suspended one of our best from Bauchi for telling the truth, for standing up to be the beacon of the truth.”

    Mohammed, who is also the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, added: “Equally, I don’t know what we will do, but we will discuss privately to see what we can do to support him… I support whatever he is doing. That is our best position, especially if what he said is the truth.”

    Also, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in last year’s general election, Mr. Peter Obi, noted that the suspension of Ningi did address the question of whether or not the senator said the truth.

    The LP stalwart urged the Senate to show Nigerians details of the budget padding controversy to avoid any doubts.

    Also, some civil society organisations (CSOs) have condemned the Senate for allegedly silencing one of its members from freely expressing himself.

    The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), which reacted to the suspension through a statement in Lagos by its Executive Director, Ibrahim Musa, described the development as an attack on freedom of expression.

    Also, the Joint Action for Good Governance (JAGG) and the Centre for Human and Socio-economic Rights (CHSR) faulted the suspension.

    JAGG’s National Vice President Abdulwaheed Odunuga said since all Nigerians should be free to express themselves, the Senate should have looked deeply into Ningi’s claim rather than “hastily suspending him”.

    CHSR’s National President Alex Omotehinse said the “hasty suspension” of Ningi on mere allegations was wrong without a thorough investigation.

  • Ningi’s faux pas

    Ningi’s faux pas

    Senator Abdul Ningi was put on the spot at plenary on Tuesday over his claim in a British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Hausa Service programme that the Senate inserted over N3 trillion into the 2024 budget aka padding. The senator spoke boldly and unequivocally on that programme. But his courage failed him before his colleagues on Tuesday. Did the Senate insert over N3 trillion into the budget? As a veteran lawmaker, he should know how the legislature works in budget matters. From all indications, he seems not to know. If he does, he would not have made that wild claim.

    Read Also: I never said 2024 budget was padded – Senator Ningi

    Wild? Yes, wild. Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Lekan Solomon, debunked Ningi’s claim of padding. What Ningi called padded figures, Solomon said, were the first line charges of some agencies which are not normally reflected in the budget. He referred his colleagues to the 2021, 2022 and 2023 budgets where the Senate applied the same rule of thumb of not inserting the details of the budget of certain institutions like the judiciary and the National Assembly, itself, in the Appropriations Act.

    Ningi looked like a rain-beaten fowl as Solomom tore his claim to shreds and instead of taking the honourable way out, he sought to raise other issues. He can do that later, but for now in this budget matter, he misfired and he is guilty as charged. Ningi should stop playing to the gallery. Since he has decided not to apologise for his misconduct, he should serve his three-month punishment in silence and sin no more on his return. How I wished he was suspended for 12 months as proposed by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim.

  • I never said 2024 budget was padded – Senator Ningi

    I never said 2024 budget was padded – Senator Ningi

    Senator Abdul Ningi, representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, has denied allegations attributed to him in the media regarding the padding of the 2024 budget, saying that he never said the budget was padded.

    The Nation reports that the Senate on Tuesday, March 12, suspended Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) for three months after alleging the 2024 budget was padded with N3 trillion.

    Speaking during an open session in the Senate on Tuesday, the former chairman of the Northern Senators Forum clarified his position, refuting claims that he accused the National Assembly of padding the new budget with a substantial sum of N3 trillion.

    The lawmaker categorically denied making such statements, emphasising that his words were misrepresented.

    He said: “I have never said somebody was blinded. Secondly, I have never said the budget was padded.

    “Let me concur with about 80 percent of the translation read out by Senator Yayi. I think they have done a fair job, except on some issues they could not understand.”

    Senator Ningi underscored the misinterpretation of his remarks, emphasising that certain elements had distorted his statements.

    He added: “The beginning of this brouhaha started with this text. Senator Abdu Ningi is purported to be the author of this document. Let me, for the avoidance of doubt, say that I have never issued a statement of this nature to anybody anywhere and anytime.”

    Read Also: Ningi’s suspension: What I would have done if I was presiding officer – Abaribe

    The senator underscored the misinterpretation of his remarks, stating that certain elements had distorted his statements.

    “Let me for the avoidance of doubt, I have never issued a statement of this nature to anybody anywhere and anytime,” he affirmed.

    During the session, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo South, APC) proposed a motion to suspend Senator Ningi for 12 months due to the lack of substantiated proof regarding the alleged padding and suggested that Senator Sumaila Kawu (Kano South, NNPP) be warned.

    However, Senator Chris Ekpeyong (Akwa-Ibom North-West, PDP) opposed the motion and proposed an amendment to reduce the suspension to six months. This amendment was seconded. Later, Senator Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South, PDP) proposed that Ningi be suspended for three months.

    Following his three-month suspension by the Senate over the allegations, Senator Ningi has decided to resign as the chairman of the Northern Senators Forum.

    In his resignation letter, he expressed gratitude to the members of the forum for the opportunity to lead and acknowledged the significance of the forum in the progress and development of Northern Nigeria.

  • FULL LIST: What Senator Ningi will lose for three-month suspension

    FULL LIST: What Senator Ningi will lose for three-month suspension

    The Senate on Tuesday suspended Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) for three months after alleging the 2024 budget was padded with N3 trillion.

    Many of the senators, who contributed to the issue, backed the call for the Red Chamber to take appropriate measures against Ningi for the allegation.

    Reacting, former Kaduna senator, Shehu Sani in a tweet on his verified X handle, revealed what Ningi, stands to lose after the Senate slammed him with a three-month suspension.

    He said: “When I publicly disclosed the salaries and running costs of lawmakers,it was the then Senate president who saved me from Suspension. If you talk too much, your bodi go tell you,that is why even opposition no fit oppose too much.”

    Read Also: Senate suspends Ningi over ‘false budget padding claim’

    Sani, said the suspended lawmaker will no longer have access to his office and will not be entitled to remunerations until the suspension is lifted.

    Here are the basic things Senator Ningi will lose during his three-month suspension according to former Kaduna senator:

    1. He will not be allowed to attend the plenary.

    2. He will be prohibited from attending committee meetings and participating in oversight functions.

    3. His salary, allowances and all entitlements will be blocked.

    4. He will not have access to his office.

    5. He is expected not to be seen within the premises of the National Assembly, until the suspension is lifted.

  • Akpabio to Ningi: integrity of Senate has been damaged

    Akpabio to Ningi: integrity of Senate has been damaged

    Senate president, Godswill Akpabio, on Tuesday, March 12, lamented that the integrity of the Senate has been totally damaged.

    Speaking during an open session he presided over, Akpabio said the upper chamber has been subjected to ridicule as Nigerians are bashing the parliament.

    Akpabio faulted Ningi’s earlier interview and for also granting a follow-up interview where he purportedly justified his initial claim of budget padding.

    The senate president recalled that President Tinubu presented a budget proposal of N27.5 trillion to the National Assembly last November.

    Read Also: Tinubu writes Reps, submits 2024 budget for FCTA

    He also dismissed rumours that the president presented a budget estimate of N25 trillion, a move that has been clarified by the presidency also.

    He said: “Nigerians are bashing the Senate. Many Nigerians will never in future come back to respect this chamber. The integrity of this chamber has been totally damaged and we wanted you to repair it with your speech.

    “Instead of that, you said you have more documents to prove what you are saying. This thing is in the public glare. I have not received full details up to this moment. If you had given me full details, I would have been able to know what you know.

    “So far, what you know is only known to you, it is not known to any other person. I don’t know how you rushed to the press carrying different versions. The social media is very fast. From Canada, the United States, everywhere, the story was budget padding by the Senate.

    “I can quote a section of the Premium Times that said ‘this is the highest level of budget padding in Nigeria’s history where the budget passed a budget of N25 trillion but what we collect was N28 trillion.”

  • Atiku, Yari, Ningi mull new party

    Atiku, Yari, Ningi mull new party

    Opposition figures are planning to form a new party to tackle the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next general election, The Nation learnt yesterday.

    Ahead of 2027, sources said the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in last year’s election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has set in motion the machinery for the proposed party in collaboration with some members of the National Assembly.

    It was learnt that Atiku’s camp is wary of the disunity in the leading opposition party, thinking that should it persist till 2027, the party may not be able to wrest power from the ruling party.

    A source told The Nation that the former Vice President has been liaising with ex-Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari, who contested for the Senate Presidency and lost to Senator Godswill Akpabio.

    The Chairman of the Northern Senators’ Forum (NSF), Abdul Ningi, may have also been recruited to serve as a foot soldier in the Senate to actualise the plan.

    Ningi’s statement last week has created confusion in the National Assembly.

    According to observers, there appears to be a move to replicate the 2013 scenario where some governors and federal legislators rebelled against the PDP and teamed up with other parties to form the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The ruling APC was formed in February 2013, following the merger of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and what was called the new-PDP.

    Atiku, who was one of the leading figures in the formation of the APC, was defeated during the presidential primary of the party in 2014 by General Muhammadu Buhari.

    Read Also: Why Atiku goofed on Argentina model recommendations – Adebayo

    He returned to the PDP to contest against Buhari in 2019. Last year, he slugged it out with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the presidential election.

    The source said Atiku and his allies are mulling the repeat of the 2013 scenario to form a mega party.

    He said: “They have gone far in the arrangement. They believe that the country is in the same situation as it was in 2014 during the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s era, hence, their decision to form a mega party to wrest power from Tinubu.

    “Ningi’s statement on the BBC Hausa Service was one of the moves of the promoters of the mega party. They want to create problems in the National Assembly and set the lawmakers against each other and the Presidency.”

    A southern senator said majority of his colleagues were aware of the plot to return power to the North, if they succeed in destabilising and weakening Tinubu’s government in 2027.

    He added: “We know their game plan. We are watching them. We have since returned to our political arsenal to thwart any move to create enmity between us and the Executive and destabilise the government.”

    Ningi, who represents Bauchi Central Senatorial District, had told BBC Hausa Service that the NSF would tackle the Presidency.

    He said: “Indeed, we don’t attack the government as the opposition is supposed to do. But this is a result of the situation and the government we have. These so-called leaders they forced on us were not voted by us.

    “They brought religious issues, ethnic and tribal issues into the process. They used propaganda, saying no Hausa/Fulani would be trusted to lead the opposition because there would be no peace.

    “If you look at it from this scenario, the majority of those in opposition are from the Northeast and the Northwest. But we were not allowed to be the leaders of the opposition in the Senate.

    “This is one of the reasons we said we would go back and look at what is happening under the umbrella of the Northern Senators’ Forum, which is under my leadership.

  • Padding claim: Senators put Ningi under fire

    Padding claim: Senators put Ningi under fire

    ‘My BBC interview misinterpreted, N3.7tr floating in the budget

    Northern Senators’ Forum disown colleague

    Jimoh Ibrahim demands sanctions

    Controversy over the allegation of budget padding against the Presidency and Senate President Godswill Akpabio by Senator Abdul Ningi is still raging in the Senate.

    Although Ningi denied making the claim in his interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Hausa Service, his colleagues in the Northern Senators’ Forum (NSF), have disowned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senator from Bauchi Central District.

    Ningi had claimed in the interview that the Northern Senators’ Forum had uncovered lopsidedness and padding of the 2024 budget to the tune of N3trillion.

    He also said the Forum would soon confront Senate President Godswill Akpabio with the findings of consultants it engaged to scrutinize the budget and meet the President on the issues.

    At a news conference in Abuja, Ningi, who chairs the NSF, insisted that N3.7 trillion was loafing, saying the funds were not accompanied by any proposed project.

    Frowning at Ningi’s outburst, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo South) called for the arrest and prosecution of Ningi for giving false information.

    The Senate may be in for a stormy plenary today as senators meet to take a position on the allegations.

    I am not afraid of suspension,  says Ningi

    On likely slap of sanctions on him for his claims by the Senate, Ningi he is not afraid of suspension.

    But, he denied saying that President Bola Tinubu was operating two separate 2024 budgets.

    Ningi told reporters that the views he expressed during his weekend interview aired on BBC were his personal opinion and not those of the NSF.

    The senator explained that his interview was misrepresented, stressing that he granted it in Hausa and not English.

    He said: “First and foremost, I’m not representing the Northern Senators’ Forum. The interview I had was in my capacity as a senator and as an opposition senator. It has no bearing at all on the northern senators’ position on any matter. Anything that you heard in my Hausa interview had to do with my personal perspective.

    Read Also: Atiku, Yari, Ningi mull new party

    “Yesterday, I was confronted by a very harsh press release from an individual whom I have followed personally as a journalist to close to 30 years.

    “I have been following Bayo Onanuga’s writeup for close to 30 years and I have no doubt Bayo was one of my very best.

    “I was really surprised, the Bayo I know could come out with a press release against my person without even understanding the subject matter.

    “First and foremost, I never granted my interview in English. The Hausa version of the interview is with me. Unfortunately, those who carried the story to Bayo did it with the sole aim of tarnishing my good name and Bayo went to the extent of calling me a liar.”

    Ningi added: “I’m not going  to join issues with him on the aspect of calling me a liar. Bayo did not listen to my Hausa interview. Bayo did not get a good translation of my Hausa interview.

    “At no time did I say Bola Ahmed Tinubu is implementing two budgets. At no time did I say Bola Tinubu was biased against the North. The Hausa version is there. At no time did I say Bola Ahmed Tinubu is implementing N25 trillion budget.

  • Senator Karimi to Ningi: fear God if you’re not afraid of suspension

    Senator Karimi to Ningi: fear God if you’re not afraid of suspension

    • …urges NSF chairman to disclose source of N30m paid to consultants

    A member of the Northern Senators Forum (NSF) and chairman of the Senate Services Committee, Senator Sunday Karimi, on Monday, advised Senator Abdul Ningi to at least fear God and say the truth since he claimed he is not afraid of being suspended by the Senate over his recent comments.

    Karimi gave the advice while responding to Ningi’s press conference in Abuja where he denied saying there were two budgets in operation but insisted that N3.7trillion in the 2024 budget was not tied to any item.

    Challenging Ningi to own up to his misinformation, Senator Karimi said the Bauchi senator spoke on behalf of the Northern Senators Forum and not in his capacity.

    Karimi said: “I advise Senator Ningi to at least fear God if he is not afraid of suspension. He spoke for the NSF and not for himself even though nobody authorized him in the NSF to lie against the Senate.”

    Karimi maintained that Senator Ningi was “Up to mischief because when they met the Senate President, Akpabio requested that they should bring the report so that he would set up a committee to find out if there was anything like that.

    “We went to the Senate President as members of the NSF, but since he is on a mission of self-destruct, Senator Ningi decided to go to the media instead of bringing the report to the Senate President to set up a committee to authenticate the veracity of the claims.”

    Speaking further, Senator Karimi chided Ningi saying, “As a former principal officer,  both in the Senate and the House of Representatives, is Senator Ningi saying he is ignorant of the fact that arrangement of items on the first line charges are not usually lumped together with general items in the budget?

    “I must say that Senator Ningi is just trying to engage in red-herring and sow the seed of institutional anarchy. As a ranking lawmaker, he should know that the organization of first-line charge items is not lined up on the budget.

    “A new legislator could have been forgiven for this invidious tar-brushing but a ranking senator cannot claim ignorance of the organization of budget items.”

    He also challenged Senator Ningi to disclose the source of the N30 million paid to the consultant who did the shoddy job for him.

    According to Karimi, “No Northern Senator contributed any money to pay any consultant, so where did Senator Ningi get the N30 million he paid the consultant? Senator Ningi should tell Nigerians the source of the N30 million he paid to the consultants who have not even delivered on his consultancy since he is talking about transparency.”