Arise News TV anchor, Oseni Rufa’i, has offered his perspective on why the suspended Nigerian lawmaker, Sen. Abdul Ningi, deserves accolades.
Ningi’s suspension has since sparked controversy and raised questions about democratic processes. It stemmed from allegations of budget padding, which Senator Ningi purportedly made during an interview with BBC Hausa service.
This decision thus prompted widespread debate regarding the constitutional legitimacy of the Senate’s actions and its commitment to transparency and accountability.
Speaking via his X handle, Oseni Rufa’i said “the manner in which Senator Ningi was suspended raises fundamental constitutional questions.”
The Arise TV presenter asserted that the Senate invoked its powers under the Senate Rules to suspend Senator Ningi, but he, Oseni Rufa’i, questions whether this action was rooted in good conscience or if it was a cover-up decision.
He hence emphasized that “the suspension of a senator is a matter of grave importance to constitutional democracy” and should not be taken lightly.
Rufa’i points out a key constitutional provision in section 63 of the 1999 Constitution, which stipulates that lawmakers must sit for a minimum of 181 days in a year. He argues that “Senator Ningi, as a representative of the people, is not an employee of the Senate but rather an employee of the citizens of Bauchi Central.” Therefore, only the constituents have the power to suspend their representative, not the Senate itself.
Moreover, Rufa’i raised concerns about the Senate’s ability to act as judge and jury in the case of Senator Ningi. He highlighted the principle that “no one can be the accuser, prosecutor, and judge simultaneously,” citing section 36(1) of the Nigerian Constitution.
Oseni Rufa’i also contended that “the Senate’s decision to suspend Senator Ningi without due process undermines the principles of justice and accountability.”
While suggesting that the Senate’s motives for suspending Senator Ningi may be driven by a desire to suppress information about alleged budget padding and avoid public scrutiny, he accused the Senate of being intolerant of accountability and transparency, thereby characterizing the suspension as a form of democratic despotism and tyranny.
Rufa’i asserted that “the suspension of Senator Abdul Ningi is unconstitutional and exceeds the Senate’s authority,” arguing that “democracy thrives on accountability,” and Nigerians deserve transparency from their elected representatives.
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The Senate earlier suspended Senator Abdul Ningi on for three months over the allegation that the 2024 appropriation bill was over- estimated to the tune of N3.7 trillion.
Ningii, from Bauchi Central and a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Population.
Ningi received his first political baptism when some northern senators disowned him as well as the claims made him, saying the Bauchi State senator did not speak for them.
The Bauchi senator, however, maintained his position yesterday that N3.7tn could not be accounted for in the 2024 budget.
At the plenary on Tuesday, Senator Olamilekan Adeola (APC, Ogun West) moved a motion that there is an urgent need to address the false claim by the embattled senator.
Adeola, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, later read the transcript of Ningi’s Hausa BBC interview on the floor of the house after Senate President Godswill Akpabio called for a committee of the whole house.
Meanwhile, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim moved an amended motion for the suspension of Ningi for 12 months, while adding that Senator Sumaila Kawu (Kano South, NNPP) be warned to also desist from such inimical acts.
Senator Chris Ekpeyong (Akwa-Ibom North-West, PDP) opposed the motion with a counter motion of amendment that the suspension be reduced to six months, and it was seconded.
Another senator, Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South), however made further amendments, asking that Ningi be suspended for three months.
After putting the amended motion to a voice vote, Akpabio ruled, “Senator Ningi is hereby suspended from the Senate for a period of three months.”
