Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar praised Bauchi Central Senator Abdul Ningi on Friday, describing him as a steadfast voice of truth.
Atiku, the 2023 presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), mentioned that Ningi’s influence remains unshaken despite recent political turbulence.
In a post shared on X, Atiku lauded Ningi, stating, “The voice of truth which Senator Ningi represents cannot be suspended from the hearts of the people. Every bearer of true conscience is welcome in my house. -AA”
News About Nigeria reported that Ningi was suspended by the Senate for three months in March after alleging budget padding.
Ningi’s suspension came in the wake of his controversial interview with BBC Hausa, where he claimed discrepancies in the 2024 budget, accusing the National Assembly of approving N25 trillion while the Presidency implemented N28.7 trillion.
He further alleged that the budget, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, was biased against the North.
However, a motion to recall Ningi was moved by Deputy Minority Leader Senator Abba Moro last week.
Moro expressed regret on Ningi’s behalf and took responsibility for his actions, leading Senate President Godswill Akpabio to announce Ningi’s unconditional recall after appeals from several lawmakers.
Remember that the Senate had previously declared that only the 108 lawmakers had the authority to recall suspended Senator Abdul Ningi and that its president, Godswill Akpabio, lacked that authority.
Speaking to reporters on Monday prior to the plenary, Senate Spokesman Yemi Adaramodu claimed that Ningi had offended the body and that the lawmakers as a whole had disciplined him by suspending him.
