Governor of Bauchi State Bala Mohammed has shown his support for Senator Abdul Ningi, a member from the Bauchi Central Senatorial District, who was suspended for three months for remarks he made on the purported N3.7 trillion excess that was concealed in the 2024 budget.
Following his suspension by the National Assembly's upper house on Wednesday, Ningi announced his resignation as the Northern Senators Forum (NSF) chairman.
Speaking at the State Executive Council meeting held at Government House in Bauchi on Wednesday, the governor declared his support for Ningi as the Senate's face of opposition.
Governor Bala said “We will, as the opposition to the federal government, say some of the things that should be done in our modest opinion, but it is not for us to disparage our country. Yesterday, I was very sad. The senate suspended one of our best from Bauchi for telling the truth, and for standing up to be the beacon of truth.
“Equally I don’t know what we will do but we will discuss privately to see what we can do to support him because I support whatever he is doing. And that is the face of the opposition, especially if he is saying is the truth. I am not too quick to go to the media but, certainly, he has shown courage.”
Recall that Wednesday, during the Senate floor session, Senator Olamilekan Adeola (APC, Ogun West), the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, stated that by initiating the motion on breach of privilege by the senator from Bauchi, the Red Chamber had set the stage for the prompt consideration and passage of the 2024 Money Bill.
In response to Ningi's interview with the BBC Hausa, Senator Adeola was given orders 9, 10, 41, and 51 to file a motion of privilege and matter of national importance.
A member of the Senate Appropriations Committee named Jimoh Ibrahim moved to suspend Ningi for a year on charges of criminal misinformation and breach of peace in the National Assembly, following Adeola's move on breach of privilege.
However, a few senators motioned to amend the suspension, which the senate approved, to suspend the embattled federal lawmakers for three months.
