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Published on 2024-03-13 06:40:18
Former Senator Shehu Sani has shed light on the punishment that suspended Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi will have to undergo following the decision of the Senate to suspend him. Sani also shared his personal experience, revealing that he had faced a similar situation in the past when he disclosed the spending patterns of senators. Fortunately for Sani, he was saved from suspension by the then Senate President, Bukola Saraki.
Ningi, a Kaduna-born politician, was suspended for three months on Tuesday after making an allegation that President Bola Tinubu was implementing a budget for 2024 different from what was approved by the National Assembly. This revelation led to his suspension, prompting Sani to reflect on the consequences of such actions.
In a statement, Sani explained that being suspended from the Senate entails several punishments for the individual involved. The suspended senator will be barred from attending plenary sessions, committee meetings, and any oversight functions. Moreover, their salary, allowances, and entitlements will be blocked, and they will not have access to their office or the premises of the National Assembly until the suspension is lifted.
Ningi’s suspension came as a result of his disclosure that President Tinubu was operating with a budget that exceeded the approved allocation by the National Assembly. Following the suspension, the leadership of the Senate reportedly held a closed-door meeting with President Tinubu to discuss the matter further.
In a surprising turn of events, Ningi resigned as the chairman of the northern senators’ forum shortly after his suspension. His resignation letter emerged just an hour after the Senate suspended him over allegations of budget padding. Ningi accused the federal government led by President Tinubu of implementing a budget for 2024 that was higher than what was deliberated and passed by the Senate.
The unfolding saga involving Ningi has sparked a debate on the consequences of disclosing sensitive information within the Senate. Sani’s revelation of his own encounter with such a situation highlights the challenges faced by lawmakers who choose to speak out against discrepancies in spending and budget allocation.
As the suspension of Senator Ningi continues to make headlines, it serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities and consequences of speaking truth to power within the political landscape of Nigeria.
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