The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that the Senate suspended Abdul Ningi without a detailed inquest into the alleged budget padding raised by him.
The PDP in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Debo Ologunagba in Abuja called for an independent investigation on the alleged N3.7 trillion budget padding by the National Assembly.
Ologunagba said that the investigation would help to unravel the circumstances leading to the suspension of Sen. Abdul Ningi(PDP-Bauchi) by the Senate.
He described the suspension as a desperate move to suppress investigation, conceal, and sweep the facts under the carpet.
He said the Senate should have referred the matter to the appropriate Standing Committee for an open investigation in line with its extant rules.
“The PDP calls for an independent investigation into the allegation that a staggering N3.7 trillion was discreetly inserted into the 2024 budget for alleged non-existent projects,“ he said.
Recall that Ningi was on Tuesday, suspended by the Senate for three months for alleging that the 2024 budget was padded to the tune of N3 trillion by the National Assembly.
Shortly after, the lawmaker announced his resignation as Chairman of the Northern Senators’ Forum (NSF).
”I will like to resign my position as Chairman of the Northern Senators’ Forum.
“This is of course necessitated by the unfolding events in the National Assembly, the North and the nation at large.
”I will like to specially 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,” the letter reads.
Before his suspension, some members of the Northern Senators Forum distanced themselves from Ningi’s allegation that the 2024 budget was padded to the tune of N3 trillion.
NAN
