Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadie Muhammad has thrown his weight behind Senator Abdul Ningi, the lawmaker representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District, who was handed a three-month suspension after his comment on the alleged extra N3.7 trillion hidden in the 2024 budget.
Ningi was suspended yesterday by the upper chamber of the National Assembly, and subsequently resigned his position as Chairman of the Northern Senators Forum (NSF).
Speaking during the State Executive Council meeting at the Government House, Bauchi, on Wednesday the governor said he was with Ningi, as the face of opposition in the Senate.
“We will, as the opposition to the 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 suspending one of our best from Bauchi for saying the truth, 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 what he was saying is the truth. I am not too quick to go to the media but, certainly, he has shown courage and we have to be with him, “
He said government will distribute parliative across the statevyobreduce hardship and hunger and told the commissioners that
“All of you will go back to your local government to ensure that palliative is distributed equitably,”
Recall that, yesterday, on the floor of the Senate, Chairman Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Olamilekan Adeola (APC, Ogun West), had said the Red Chamber had inaugurated a template for the speedy consideration and passage of the 2024 Money Bill as he initiated the motion on breach of privilege by the Bauchi senator.
Senator 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 BBC Hausa.
Following Adeola’s motion on breach of privilege, a member of the Appropriation Committee in the Senate, Jimoh Ibrahim, first moved the motion for Ningi’s suspension for 12 months over allegations of criminal misinformation and breach of peace in the National Assembly.
But, some of the senators moved for the amendment of the suspension for three months for the embattled federal lawmaker, which the senate ratified.
