Ningi had, in no-holds-barred interview with the BBC Hausa Service, alleged that the 2024 budget was padded with a whopping N3.7 trillion.
The interview went viral and triggered anger among Nigerians.
But the Senate would not take the accusation lying low. The upper chamber of the National Assembly, at plenary on Tuesday, promptly suspended Ningi, who is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Population.
The suspension followed a rigorous debate by senators on a set of prayers contained in a motion moved by Ogun West Senator, Olamilekan Adeola, on the breach of his privilege following Ningi’s
Ningi, however, seems unperturbed by the suspension as he said he was ready to serve the punishment.
He quickly followed it up with his resignation of his position as Chairman of the Northern Senators Forum.
In the letter, the Senator premised his decision on the unfolding events in the National Assembly, the N,orth and Nigeria at large.
Ningi, in the personally signed letter which he addressed to the forum’s secretary, said: “I will like to resign as chairman of the Northern Senators Forum. This is, of course, necessitated by unfolding events in the National Assembly, the North, and the Nation at large.
“I will like to specially thank members of the forum for the opportunity given to me for the last eight months to spearhead this very important forum.
“I believe this forum is very important and fundamental to the progress and development of northern Nigeria.”
Naija News recalls Ningi got into trouble following his interview with the BBC Hausa service in which he alleged that the National Assembly padded the 2024 budget with N3.7 trillion.
The Bauchi Central Senator also claimed that the 2024 budget passed by the National Assembly is N25tn while the one being implemented by the Presidency is N28.7tn.