The Nigerian Senate has enacted a three-month suspension on Senator Abdul Ningi of Bauchi Central following his allegations of a N3.7 trillion budget padding in the 2024 fiscal year budget. This decision came after a heated debate spanning approximately three hours, centered around Ningi’s claims made in a BBC Hausa Service interview. Furthermore, Senator Suleiman Kawu of Kano South received a warning for disseminating disruptive news about the Senate.
Senator Olamilekan Adeola initiated the motion against Ningi, citing several Senate Orders to highlight the gravity of Ningi’s accusations, which have stirred significant controversy and public concern. Ningi asserted that the National Assembly approved a N25 trillion budget, in contrast to the N28.7 trillion budget being executed by the Presidency. He labeled this discrepancy as unprecedented budget padding in Nigerian history, allegedly under the oversight of Senate President GodsWill Akpabio.
In response to these serious allegations, Senator Adeola outlined the procedural legitimacy of the budget passed on December 30, 2023, which President Bola Tinubu assented to on January 1, 2024. He detailed the justification for the N1.2 trillion increase over the President’s proposal, attributing it to necessary additions in various sectors including Judiciary, Agriculture, Education, and Health, funded through adjusted currency benchmarks and increased Government Owned Enterprises revenue among others.
The Senate’s discussion culminated in a proposal by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim for a twelve-month suspension for Ningi, later amended to six months by Senator Asququo Ekpeyong. Ultimately, Senator Garba Maidoki’s suggestion of a three-month suspension prevailed, contingent on Ningi’s submission of an apology within 24 hours, a motion seconded by Senator Sani Musa.
Senate President Akpabio lamented the reputational damage inflicted on the Senate by these allegations, expressing concern over the diminished respect for the legislative chamber among Nigerians. Akpabio criticized Ningi’s approach, particularly his reliance on unshared documents to substantiate his claims, which has propagated a narrative of budget padding across social media and international news platforms.
This episode marks a critical juncture for the Nigerian Senate, as it seeks to navigate the fallout from these allegations and restore its integrity. The suspension of Senator Ningi serves as a stern reminder of the importance of procedural adherence and the consequences of making unfounded public allegations against governmental institutions.
