Senator Ningi Resigns As Chairman Of Northern Senators Forum
Senator Abdul Ningi from Bauchi Central has voluntarily resigned from his role as chairman of the Northern Senators Forum following his suspension by the Upper House for alleged budget padding.
The resignation letter, dated March 11, was released to the public soon after the Senate suspended Ningi.
In the letter, the lawmaker expressed gratitude to members of the forum for the opportunity they gave him to serve in the last eight months.
The resignation letter reads: “I would like to resign my position as the Chairman of the 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 months to spearhead this very important forum. I believe this forum is very important and fundamental to the progress and development of Northern Nigeria.”
Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, a member of the Appropriation Committee in the Senate, initially proposed the motion to suspend Ningi for 12 months. This was due to allegations of criminal misinformation and breach of peace in the National Assembly and the country as a whole.
However, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong and Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, representing Cross River South Senatorial District and Oyo North, respectively, suggested amendments to the motion.
Ekpenyong proposed reducing the suspension to six months, while Buhari suggested reducing it further to three months.
The Senate president, Godswill Akpabio, however, criticized Ningi for his previous interview and subsequent follow-up interview, where he seemingly justified his initial claim of budget padding. Akpabio deemed these actions as “grievous” and believed they had tarnished the image of the House.
