By Uzair Adam Imam
Senator Abdul Ningi of Bauchi State has announced his resignation as chairman of the Northern Senators Forum, following his suspension from the Senate.
Ningi had been accused of making misleading claims about the size of the 2024 budget, which he alleged was padded with N3.7 trillion in additional funds.
He has denied any wrongdoing, but the Senate has suspended him pending an investigation into the matter.
In response to the allegations made by Senator Ningi, the Senate has suspended him for three months while it investigates the matter.
The Senate has stated that there is no evidence to support Ningi’s claim that the 2024 budget was padded.
The Senate also expressed its concern over the potential damage to the reputation of the body and the Nigerian people caused by Ningi’s remarks.
Meanwhile, Ningi tendered his resignation letter as the chairman of the Northern Senators Forum following his suspension.
“I will like to resign my position as the chairman of the Northern Senators Forum. This is of course necessitated by 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 to the progress and development of Northern Nigeria,” the letter reads.