The Nigerian senate slammed a three-month suspension against Abdul Ningi, senator representing Bauchi Central, on Tuesday for alleging that the 2024 budget was padded by N3 trillion.
The upper legislative chamber suspended the lawmaker after a motion on privilege was moved by Solomon Adeola, senator representing Ogun West.
Ningi caused controversy over the weekend when he alleged that “huge damage” had been done to the north and the entire country through the budget.
The Bauchi Central Senator also claimed that the 2024 budget passed is N25tn while the one being implemented by the Presidency is N28.7tn
Ningi insisted on his claim, saying he wasn’t afraid of suspension.
However, before Ningi’s suspension, some Nigerian Senators had been suspended on the floor of the Senate floor for different offences.
Here is a list of senators who have faced suspension from the senate and the reasons why.
1. Femi Okurounmu (Ogun Central) suspended in 1999
Senator Okurounmu represented the Ogun Central Senatorial district of Ogun State at the Senate from 1999 to 2003 on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy (AD). He was suspended from the upper chamber in 1999 for alleging that senators were planning to impeach President Olusegun Obasanjo. He was, however, recalled after apologising to the Senate.
2. Joseph Waku (Benue) – (2000)
Waku, a lawmaker from Benue state, faced suspension from the Senate in 2000 following a significant controversy he ignited. His suggestion that a military coup would be preferable to allowing former President Olusegun Obasanjo to continue ruling as a dictator stirred widespread condemnation. Waku’s criticism of Obasanjo’s administration, which he described as the worst in Nigeria’s history, led to his suspension by the Senate.
3. Arthur Nzeribe (Imo, Orlu Constituency)- (2002) (Indefinite Suspension)
Arthur Nzeribe was elected Senator for the Imo Orlu constituency in 1999 and reelected in 2003.
In November 2002, Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim indefinitely suspended Senator Nzeribe due to a N22 million fraud allegation.
4. Isah Mohammed (Niger Central) suspended in October 2004
Senator Mohammed represented Niger Central Senatorial district of Niger State on the platform of the PDP. He was suspended in October 2004 for two weeks for slapping Senator Iyabo Anisulowo, who represented Ogun West district, outside the lobby of the National Assembly. Anisulowo was then the chairperson of the Senate Committee on State and Local Government Affairs and it was reported that the dispute may be connected to the disbursement of her committee’s funds.
5. Ali Ndume (Borno South) – Six-month suspension
In 2017, the Senate suspended Ali Ndume after he asked for an investigation into allegations of importing a bulletproof Range Rover with fake documents involving then Senate President Bukola Saraki and that of perjury involving Dino Melaye.
He was suspended for six months, instead of one year originally recommended by the ethics committee.
6. Ovie Omo-Agege (Delta Central ) – Three-month suspension
Omo-Agege, a lawmaker from Delta state, was suspended by the senate in 2018 after he kicked against the election reordering bill.
Although the lawmaker later apologised for his stand, he still went to court to get a restraining order against any move by the senate to suspend him.
His action was said to have angered some of his colleagues, who pushed for his suspension.
7. Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) – Three Months Suspension
On Tuesday, the Godswill Akpabio-led Senate suspended Senator Abdul Ningi.
Ningi, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was suspended during Tuesday’s plenary over allegations of padding of the 2024 budget.
The Bauchi Central Senator also claimed that the 2024 budget passed is N25tn while the one being implemented by the Presidency is N28.7tn.
He subsequently resigned as chairman of the Northern Senators Forum (NSF).
Facebook post: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/gW31xys8nQMtayJL/?mibextid=Nif5oz