Budget Padding: Sen. Ningi’s Suspension, Hasty- Groups—-The Joint Action for Good Governance (JAGG) and the Centre for Human and Socio-economic Rights (CHSR) have faulted Senate’s  suspension of  Sen. Abdul Ningi over his  allegation  that  the 2024 budget was padded

The two groups told  the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos that the National Assembly should have thoroughly investigated the allegation before taking the action.

The National Vice President of JAGG, Mr Abdulwaheed Odunuga told NAN that that since every Nigerian had freedom of expression, the Senate should have looked deeply into Ningi’s claim rather than “hastily suspending him.”

“To us, it is wrong for the Senate to suspend Ningi so hastily due to his claim that 2024 budget was padded. The hasty action of the Senate smacks of  suspicion.

“We know the issue of budget padding has always been there. We are convinced budgets are padded at times.

“We have situations whereby allocations are made for a project without knowing specifically what the projects are and where such projects are executed.

“I totally disagree with the suspension, the Senate should have thoroughly looked at those allegations made and not be hasty in action,” Odunuga said.

According to him, the suspension would deny the lawmaker of the opportunity of representing his constituency.

He said: “the Senate should look at those areas mentioned by Ningi critically in the interest of the nation,’’ he said.

Also speaking, Mr Alex Omotehinse, the National President of CHSR, said the “hasty suspension” of Ningi on mere allegations was wrong, saying they ought to have thoroughly investigated the claim.

Omotehinse said: “It is wrong for people to elect their representatives and the parliament will suspend such representative because of a particular rule or procedure.

“So, that constituency (Senatorial District) will have no representation for the period of suspension? It is undemocratic.

“The House can use other means for sanction but not suspension,” he said.

Omotehinse said that the senate should have rather deny  Ningi of other rights and privileges, but not  suspend him.

“For instance, if such a member is a principal officer, the position could be withdrawn, but not  to suspend the person for a whole period of three months.

“You can’t take the people’s mandate from him. The representative duty cannot be taken away from any members duly elected by the people,” he said.

NAN  recalls that the Senate on Tuesday suspended Sen. Abdul Ningi (PDP-Bauchi) for three months from all activities of the Senate over his allegation that the  2024 budget was padded.

The Upper Chamber’s resolution was sequel to a motion by Sen. Solomon Adeola (APC-Ogun) during Tuesday’s plenary entitled: “Urgent Need to Address the False Allegations against the Senate and the Presidency on the 2024 Appropriation Act by Sen. Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central).”

An international media outfit had quoted Ningi as saying that President Bola Tinubu was operating two different budgets for 2024.