Amidst mounting tensions following the suspension of Senator Abdul Ningi by the Senate, a group known as the Arewa Advancement for Peace and Development Initiative has issued a stern ultimatum, demanding the immediate reinstatement of the embattled senator within 48 hours. Failure to comply, they warned, would result in widespread mobilization from the 19 northern states and various civil organizations across Nigeria to converge on the National Assembly.
The controversy erupted when the Senate suspended Senator Ningi, representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District, for a period of three months. The suspension was a response to Senator Ningi’s allegations that the 2024 budget was padded with a staggering sum of N3 trillion.
Speaking at a press conference held in Jos, Plateau State, Alhaji Alhassan Sabo, Chairman of the Arewa Advancement for Peace and Development Initiative, vehemently condemned the suspension, labeling it as an injustice to all Nigerians. He expressed profound dismay at the state of affairs within the Senate, asserting that the recent events had tarnished the institution’s integrity and eroded public confidence.
Sabo emphasized that Senator Ningi’s allegations had uncovered grave concerns about the budgetary process and accountability within the Senate. He questioned how such a significant sum could be clandestinely inserted into the national budget without due scrutiny, warning of dire consequences for the nation’s economy and future generations if left unaddressed.
Asserting their commitment to peace and development in the North and Nigeria at large, Sabo underscored the necessity of their intervention in the unfolding crisis. He declared the group’s unequivocal support for Senator Ningi, hailing him as a defender of the Nigerian masses and a beacon of democracy.
The demands outlined by the Arewa Advancement for Peace and Development Initiative include the immediate lifting of Senator Ningi’s suspension and his reinstatement within 48 hours. Furthermore, they called for the Senate leadership to establish an adhoc committee to investigate the allegations and urged President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s administration to initiate an independent panel to probe the matter.
In closing, Sabo reiterated the group’s unwavering stance alongside Senator Ningi and urged Nigerians to unite in the face of injustice. He warned that the Nigerian masses could no longer remain silent spectators to the malpractices of a select few and emphasized the urgency of holding accountable those who betray the trust of the nation.
As the deadline approaches, all eyes are on the Senate leadership to heed the calls for reinstatement and initiate a transparent investigation into the allegations leveled against Senator Ningi. The fate of Nigeria’s democratic integrity hangs in the balance, as citizens await a resolution to the unfolding crisis within the hallowed halls of the National Assembly.
