Budget padding controversy: ‘Ningi’s suspension rushed’ – ACF to Senate

The Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, has condemned the suspension of Senator Abdul Ningi over his revelation of alleged padding of the 2024 budget to the tune of N3.7 trillion by the Senate.

It should be recalled that Senator Ningi, in an earlier interview, made the allegation that culminated in his three-month suspension for what the Senate labelled an unfounded allegation.

But ACF noted on Saturday that rather than suspending the senator representing Bauchi North, the Red Chamber should have allowed an independent investigation into the matter.

ACF National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tukur-Baba, said in a statement in Kaduna that the process that culminated in Ningi’s suspension appeared rushed, and was like a case of “looking more on the messenger than his message.”

According to the forum, with the suspension of Ningi, who had served as the leader of the Northern Senators Forum, the interests of many communities in the region are at stake.