Protest by Bauchi PDP Members Against Sen Ningi’s Suspension Over Budget Padding

Over the weekend, members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi State took to the streets in a peaceful protest to express their discontent regarding the suspension of Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi.

There were allegations that Ningi was suspended for three months due to his claims of budget padding in the 2024 budget.

At a press briefing during the protest, the Bauchi youths forming the Coalition of Ningi PDP Youth Groups, led by Alhaji Dan Lamin, the party’s chairman in the Local Government Area, criticized the suspension of the lawmaker as “unnecessary and against democratic principles.”

Lamin stated that the group would persist in investigating the alleged budget padding until the truth is revealed.

The demonstrators called on the Senate to reconsider their decision, arguing that Ningi had not violated any national laws and was entitled to freedom of expression as per the Constitution.

One of the youth group leaders, Kamilu Barau Ningi, expressed disbelief at the suspension, labeling the Senate’s actions as unjust and demanding a thorough inquiry into the accusations.

In a similar stance, the Caretaker Chairman of Ningi LGA, Ibrahim Zubairu, criticized the suspension, characterizing it as undemocratic and unfair, while also accusing the Senate of denying Ningi a fair trial.