Janet Samuel, Abuja
To seek the necessary steps in correcting the ugly trends in the public domain against the Nigeria Senate, the Senate has suspended Senator Abul Ningi of Bauchi Central for 3 months over the false allegations on the 3.7 trillion Naira budget padding.
The resolution of the upper chamber was sequel to a point of order raised by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Adeola Olamilekan of Ogun West during plenary on Tuesday.
Recall that, at the weekend, Ningi in an interview with BBC Hausa Service made the allegation saying a huge damage has been done to the North and the entire country through the budget.
Last year, President Bola Tinubu had proposed N27.5 trillion, but the lawmakers increased it by N1.2 trillion.
The national assembly passed a budget of N28.7 trillion for the 2024 fiscal year.
Standing on order 9, 10 and order 51 While moving his motion, Adeola argued that his privilege was breached because he was part of the processes that produced the 2024 budget, saying that the interview affected him, he therefore Approached the chamber to seek for protection and to know what it takes.
Explaining the contents of the budget, the Senator said that the additional increase of N1.2 trillion was presented by the President during the appropriation process.
“This was through additional funding requests.
“The additional source of funding for the increase came from the increase in the benchmark of naira to dollar from N750 N800, increase in Government Owned Enterprises (GOEs) revenue and other sources.
After a heated debate, a prayer was amended through a motion by Senator Ekpeyong Asuquo representing Cross River South Senatorial District saying that he should be suspended for six months.
Senator Garba Maidoki of, Kebbi South further moved for the amendment for him to be suspended for three months and that an apology letter be accepted if written to the Senate within 24 hours.
In his remarks, the Senate President sustained the three-month suspension after he put the ammended prayers to a voice vote and Ningi was suspended for three months.
