Abdul Ningi Resigns As Chairman Of Northern Senators Forum As Senate Suspends Him 

Ayuba Sanusi 

THE embattled senator representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Abdul Ahmed Ningi has resigned from his position as the Chairman of the Northern Senators Forum. 

Senator Ningi’s resignation was followed Tuesday by his suspension for three months by the Senate over budget padding allegations. 

The suspension followed the amendment of prayers by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim to the motion raised by Senator Solomon Adeola Olamilekan which took Senators hours to debate.

Ningi had granted an interview on Monday last week alleging that the sum of N3.7 trillion could not be traced to projects.

He claimed in an interview he granted BBC Hausa Service, that the National Assembly debated and passed N25 Trillion as the 2024 budget and not the N28.7 Trillion that is being implemented by the Federal Government. 

After a heated debate on Tuesday, 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.

However, Senator AbdulRahid Mallam Maidori from Jigawa suggested a month’s suspension.

In his remarks, the Senate President sustained the three-month suspension after he put the recommended prayers to a voice vote and Ningi was suspended for six months.

Meanwhile, shortly after he was suspended, Abdul Ningi notified the Secretary,10h Assembly of his decision to resign his position as the Chairman of Northern Senators Forum. 

In the letter dated 11th March 2024, Senator Ningi said: “I would like to resign my position as the Chairman of Northern Senators Forum. This is of course necessitated by unfolding events in the National Assembly, the North and the Nation at large.

“I would like to especially thank members of the Forum for the opportunity given to me for the last eight (8) months to spearhead this very important Forum. I believe this Forum is very important and fundamental to the progress and development of Northern Nigeria.”

Eighteen-Eleven Media