The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has vowed to take legal action against the Nigerian Senate over the suspension of Senator Abdul Ningi.
Ningi, who represents Bauchi Central Senatorial District, was suspended for three months on Tuesday after alleging that the Senate inserted projects worth N3 trillion into the 2024 budget without proper approval.
“We’re suing the Senate over the unlawful suspension of whistleblower and Senator Abdul Ningi for 3 months over his allegation that the Senate inserted projects worth N3 trillion in the 2024 budget, contrary to the Nigerian Constitution and international standards,” SERAP announced on Tuesday.
Ningi’s suspension came after a stormy session in the Senate during which Senator Jimoh Ibrahim moved for Ningi’s suspension for 12 months on charges of criminal misinformation and breach of peace.
After the debate, the Senate voted to suspend Ningi for 3 months as proposed by Senator Abdulfatai Buhari.
In an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, Ningi claimed the existence of two versions of the 2024 budget, alleging that N3.7 trillion of the N28.7 trillion passed by the National Assembly was not tied to any project.
His allegation sparked outrage from fellow lawmakers and the presidency, with some groups calling for an investigation into the allegation.
In its reaction earlier, the presidency dismissed Ningi’s allegations as false and lacking basis in a statement on Sunday.
“Contrary to the strange view expressed by Senator Ningi, there was no way the Senate could have debated and passed a N25 Trillion budget that was not presented to the National Assembly. We don’t expect a ranking Senator not to pay due attention to details before making wild claims,” said Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
Onanuga clarified that Tinubu originally presented a N27.5 trillion proposal to the National Assembly on November 29, 2023, not N25 trillion as claimed by Ningi.
He noted that the National Assembly increased the budget figure to N28.7 trillion in exercise of its appropriation powers before passing it.
“In the spirit of democracy which allows give and take, President Tinubu didn’t withhold his assent to the Appropriation Bill as passed by the National Assembly. We want to stress that if the budget figure was increased and made to be different from what the Executive proposed, it was the National Assembly that jacked it up in exercise of its power of appropriation.
“On the uncharitable claim that the 2024 budget was anti-North, we found such position as canvassed by Senator Ningi as too far-fetched and unbecoming of a leader of his status.
“President Tinubu is leading a government that is fair and equitable to every part and segment of Nigeria. In terms of funding, distribution of capital and priority projects, the 2024 Appropriation Act was not skewed against any section of the country.
“The North as an integral part of the country is well covered in all areas, from security to agriculture, healthcare to education, and other important infrastructure such as roads, rail, dams, power and irrigation projects to support all year-round agriculture,” the presidential spokesman stated.