The Rebuild Arewa Initiative for Development (RAID) has called for the unconditional reinstatement of the Senator representing Bauchi central, Abdul Ningi.

It would be recalled that Ningi was suspended for three months from the National Assembly due to his claims of Budget padding of N3.7 trillion.

The group said the senator’s attempt to shine a light on veiled corruption seemed courageous and necessary, and his suspension is nothing less than catastrophic, dispossessing the north of its most potent political mouthpiece.

President of the group, Balarabe Rufai, made this known during a press conference in Abuja titled, ‘Revisiting the suspension of Sen. Abdul Ningi: calls for restoration amidst political turmoil.’

He said the ripple of support for Senator Ningi from Nigerians, especially those from the North, has taken shape as an unyielding wave of unity.

“Senator Ningi’s attempts to shine a light on veiled corruptions seemed both courageous and necessary. Nonetheless, his expulsion from the Senate floors is nothing less than a catastrophe, dispossessing us of one of our most potent political mouthpieces.

“The shockwaves of his suspension have triggered divisive views amongst his peers, with one senator condemning Ningi’s move as a so-called ‘civil coup’ and another calling for a meticulous investigation by the Ethics and Privileges Committee. Adding insult to injury, Senator Ningi has been stripped of his emoluments, his salary and allowances withheld, in what appears to be an injustice to his service and commitment.

“The ripple of support for Abdul Ningi from Nigerians, especially those hailing from the North, has taken shape as an unyielding wave of unity. We stand firm in our call for his swift and unconditional reinstatement. By marginalising one of our most articulate and staunch advocates, the assembly has inflicted a blow not only on an individual senator but has also shaken the democratic bedrock upon which our society stands. This is a bellwether that we, as a people committed to justice and democracy, cannot afford to ignore,” he said.

The Secretary, RAID, Dr. Salisu Zigau, on his part, said the Senate cannot make decisions illegally and expect it to stand in the court of law or court of public opinion.

He said the Senate has its rules on the conduct and discipline of errant members and such an offence should not warrant more than a month suspension rather than the three months handed down to Sen. Ningi.

Zigau said if the the suspension is not lifted, they would be forced to challenge the illegal and brutal suspension.

In a related development, constituents of the Bauchi Central Senatorial District, represented by Ningi, have also condemned the Senate’s decision to suspend him for three months over what they described as his sincere concern about irregularities in the 2024 national budget.

Ningi was suspended by the Senate last Tuesday for three-months for his comments on the untraceable N3.7 trillion in the 2024 budget.

Ningi would later resign as Chairman of the Northern Senators Forum (NSF).

Reacting to his suspension, the constituents, under the aegis of Youth Coalition of Bauchi Central Senatorial District said rather than suspending Ningi, the Red Chamber should instead investigate the irregularities he raised with a view to addressing them in the best interest of the country, (The Nation)

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