By Abimbola Ogunnaike
Two days after the resignation of Senator Abdul Ningi, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker from Bauchi Central Senatorial District as Chairman of Northern Senators’ Forum (NSF), Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua of the All Progressives Congress (APC), lawmaker representing Katsina Central Senatorial District, was appointed new Chairman of the Forum on Thursday, 14 March, 2024.
Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio read the letter announcing Yar’Adua as the new Chairman of the Forum at the plenary session on Thursday, 14 March, 2024.
Senator Tahir Mungono from Borno North Senatorial District was also named spokesperson of the Forum. He replaced Senator Sumaila Kawu from Kano.
Recall that Ningi tendered his resignation on Tuesday, 12 March, 2024 following suspension from the Senate for three months based on his position that N3.7 trillion in the 2024 budget could not be traced to any projects.
The action against Ningi was received with mixed feelings.
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi had said the lawmaker was suspended for saying the truth.
Speaking during the State Executive Council meeting at the Government House, Bauchi, on Wednesday, Mohammed said, “yesterday I was very sad the Senate suspended one of our best from Bauchi for saying the truth, for standing up to be the beacon of the truth.”
Mohammed, who is also the chairman PDP Governors’ Forum, said, “Equally I don’t know what we will do but we will discuss privately to see what we can do to support him because I support whatever he is doing and that is our best position especially if what he saying is the truth.”