Senate President Akpabio Denies Receiving Reinstatement Ultimatum from Senator Ningi

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has denied receiving any letter from Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) issuing a 7-day ultimatum to be reinstated.

Ningi was suspended by the Senate two weeks ago following his BBC Hausa interview, where he alleged that the budget for the 2024 fiscal year was padded to the tune of N3.7 billion.

According to Akpabio’s Special Adviser on Media, Eseme Eyiboh, the Senate, as an institution, not Akpabio as an individual, suspended the Senator.

Eyiboh emphasized that the Senate acted in accordance with its extant rules and not at the behest of any individual.

In a letter written by Ningi’s counsel, Femi Falana (SAN), the suspended Senator accused Akpabio of being the accuser, the prosecutor, and the judge in his own case, in violation of the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.

Ningi also claimed that Akpabio caused him to be put on trial before the Senate on March 14, 2024, contrary to the provisions of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, 2018.

Responding to the allegations, Eyiboh stated that associating any individual’s name with Senator Ningi’s suspension is delusional and a red herring.

He maintained that the Senate is an institution created by law, not by man, and it acted within its powers in suspending Ningi.

As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether Senator Ningi will pursue legal action against the Senate or if a resolution can be reached within the institution.