The Arewa Consultative Forum, a socio-political organisation representing the northern region, criticised the Senate’s decision to suspend Senator Abdul Ningi for accusing them of padding the 2024 budget by N3.t trillion. The ACF argued that instead of rushing to suspend Ningi, the Senate should have initiated an independent investigation into the matter. According to the ACF’s National Publicity Secretary , Prof. Tukur-Babs, the Senate focused more on punishing the messenger rather than addressing the substance of his allegations.
The forum expressed concerns that the suspension of Ningi, a former leader of the Northern Senators Forum, jeopardizes the interests of numerous communities in the region. Instead of hastily suspending Ningi, the ACF advocated for a comprehensive investigation of the allegation bu either a statutory or ad Hoc Senate committee.
The statement was titled; ACF regrets suspension of Senator Ningi from 10th Senate, calls for more open debates on issues.’
It read in parts;
“The Arewa Consultative Forum has watched with keen interest the series of rather dramatic events, in the Nigerian 1oth Senate, which culminated in the suspension of Senator Abdul Ningi from the Red Chamber for three months. ACF acknowledges the 10th Senate’s constitutional privilege to determine how it operates or conducts its affairs. ACF does not wish to engage in debate with the Senate. Still, on the whole,the process appeared nimbly rushed, with concerns looking more at the messenger rather than the message.
“ACF notes that all allegation has since been denied by the 10th Senate as lacking in veracity. However, the interest of many communities in Northern Nigeria are at stake. Rather than the route of a rushed suspension of Senator Ningi, ACF prefers a thorough investigation of the allegation by some statutory or ad hoc committee of the Senate.”
“ACF regrets that Bauchi Central will be without representation in the 10th Senate for 3 months, and stands with Senator Ningi and his supporters in whatever constitutional means they seek to respond for a satisfactory denouement to this sad development. ACF also calls on the 10th Senate to act with more circumspection and sensitivity in processing criticism of its operations. Robust debates on public policy undoubtedly strengthen the development of the democratic project,”