After staying away for 75 days out of 90 days suspension slammed on him by the Senate on March 12, 2024, Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP Bauchi Central), formally resumed legislative activities at the Senate on Tuesday in plenary.
On the strength of a motion sponsored by the minority leader, Senator Abba Moro, on behalf of the minority caucus, the Senate recalled Senator Ningi from the three-month suspension
Recall that Senator Ningi was suspended by the Senate at the committee of the whole on 2024 budget padding allegation he levelled against the Senate during an interview he had with the BBC Hausa service.
The lawmaker was suspended on March 12, 2023 for three months, but the Senate on Tuesday unanimously resolved to recall their colleague from suspension.
Recall that, Senator Olamilekan Adeola had come under Orders 9, 10, 41, and 51 to move a motion of privilege and issue of national importance against Ningi over his interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation (Hausa Service).
Ningi had, in the interview, alleged that the budget passed by the National Assembly for the 2024 fiscal year is N25tn while the one being implemented by the Presidency is N28.7tn.
The motion for the unconditional recall of Ningi was sponsored by the minority leader Senator Abba Moro, Senator Olalere Oyewumi and Senator Osita Ngwu.
Elated to be back in the Senate, Senator Ningi was among the first set of Senators and House of Representatives members to arrive at the National Assembly for plenary on Tuesday
Senator Ningi, along with a few other Senators like Suleiman Kawu ( NNPP Kano South), Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (PDP Sokoto South), came into the National Assembly through the Villa Gate.
He arrived at the complex at exactly 10: 40am, 20 minutes before the 11:00 am fixed for the commencement of plenary, which even started at 12:10 pm.
Following his suspension, Senator Ningi lost his Chairmanship position of the Senate Committee on National Identity and Population, which was allocated to Senator Mustapha Musa (APC Yobe East), two days after the now-lifted suspension
