Senator Ningi of Bauchi Central Returns to Senate After 75-Day Suspension

Bauchi Central Senator, Abdul Ningi, on Tuesday, formally resumed legislative activities as a member of the Senate after spending 75 days on suspension from the Red Chamber.

Recall that Ningi was slammed with a three-month suspension by the Senate at plenary on March 12, 2024, for accusing the Senate of padding the 2024 budget in a radio interview. The lawmaker, however, claimed that he was quoted out of context, insisting that there were discrepancies in the budget passed by the Parliament and the version being implemented by the executive arm of government.

Shortly after the suspension verdict by his visibly angry colleagues, Ningi resigned as the chairman of the Northern Senators Forum (NSF), a pressure group of lawmakers within the National Assembly.

It was also reports that the Senate had last week Tuesday made a U-turn on the strength of a motion sponsored by the minority leader, Senator Abba Moro, on behalf of the minority caucus, recalling Senator Ningi from the 90-day suspension.

Apparently elated to be back in the Senate, Senator Ningi was among the first set of Senators to arrive at the National Assembly Complex for plenary on Tuesday.

Senator Ningi, who alongside some other Senators like Suleiman Kawu Sumaila (NNPP, Kano South), and Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (PDP, Sokoto South), came into the National Assembly through the Villa Gate, arrived about 10:40am, 20 minutes ahead of the scheduled time for the commencement of the Senate plenary.