From Abuja, Kenneth Udeh
With less than two weeks remaining of his suspended sentence, Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) has been recalled back to the Senate to resume his legislative duties.
Abdul Ahmed Ningi, who was suspended on 12 March 2024, was recalled to the Senate following a motion initiated and moved by Deputy Minority Leader Sen. Abba Moro, who also expressed regret on behalf of the suspended senator.
According to a ranking South-South lawmaker who confided in Daily Sun, the Senate arrived at the decision without receiving any open or confidential apology from the Bauchi Central Senator.
The lawmaker, who craved anonymity, stated that Ningi maintained his stance on the decision not to apologise to the Senate, however, three members of the Minority leadership apologised on his behalf and urged Senate President Godswill Akpabio to recall the lawmaker.
Recall that Abdul Ningi was handed a three-month suspension after he made allegations that the 2024 budget was padded with N3.7 trillion.
On Tuesday, Sen. Abba Moro pledged to assume full responsibility for Sen. Ningi’s actions, acknowledging the gravity of the suspension. The senator’s conduct during the period of suspension has been a matter of scrutiny and debate within the legislative body.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, emphasised the senator’s resourcefulness and described him as a valued member of the Senate, adding that the decision to recall Sen. Ningi transcends religious and ethnic divides.
The senators thereafter voted via voice votes in favour of Ningi’s recall after Senator Akpabio put the motion into question.