The Arewa Advancement for Peace and Development Initiative, has stated that it is dissatisfied with the three-month suspension placed on Senator Abdul Ningi, representing Bauchi Central, by the Senate, News About Nigeria reports.
The group registered its displeasure in a statement issued in Jos on Thursday and signed by Alhaji Alhassan Sabo and Dr. Susan Ogbaji, the group’s chairman and secretary, respectively.
They noted that the group has never been interested in political matters, but considering the nature of the facts on the issue, it has become necessary.
Recall that Senator Ningi was suspended from the House after his interview with BBC Hausa, where he claimed that the 2024 budget was padded with N3.7 trillion by the National Assembly.
Reacting to this, the Arewa group condemned the suspension and also demanded that the Senate lift the suspension and reinstate Senator Ningi, adding that the executive arm of government should investigate the claim so that Nigerians can know the truth.
“We are here to voice out our displeasure over the recent events in the National Assembly, particularly the Senate Chamber, which should have been our symbol of pride, and the pillar of our hope as a nation, because it holds the representatives (voices) of the Nigerian people. But unfortunately, that is not the case.
“The allegation raised by distinguished Senator Abdul Ningi has opened up a can of worms, which did not go well with the leadership of the Senate. How did we get to where we are as a people? We keep blaming the executive for our woes, but should we now say that the real enemies of the Nigerian people are their representatives?” the statement reads in part.
The group further noted that the Senate is killing future generations and means of survival as a people, maintaining that if the allegation is true, then Nigeria has lost it as a people and should be ashamed of itself.
The group also stated that if the suspension is not lifted, they will organise people from the Northern States and move into the National Assembly.
