Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has expressed his support for suspended Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi, commending the lawmaker’s integrity. The governor, affiliated with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), affirmed his stance during the Bauchi State Executive Council meeting, emphasizing the significance of preserving dissent in politics without resorting to punitive measures.
At the meeting, Governor Mohammed stated, “I stand firm in our support for Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi of Bauchi Central,” underscoring his commitment to thoroughly examining Ningi’s situation. The governor acknowledged Senator Ningi as one of the best-performing senators, praising his heritage, uprightness, and integrity.
Senator Abdul Ningi had earlier raised concerns about the 2024 budget, alleging that the federal government was operating two versions, with the N28.7 trillion budget signed by President Bola Tinubu being biased against the North. Despite facing criticism from various quarters, Ningi clarified that he did not claim the country operated two budgets but asserted that only N25 trillion was allocated to projects, while N3.7 trillion had no project tied to it.
In response to the controversy, Senator Ningi resigned as the Chairman of the Northern Senators’ Forum and faced a three-month suspension from his colleagues in the red chamber. Governor Bala Mohammed’s endorsement of Senator Ningi reflects a nuanced approach to political differences, emphasizing the need for constructive engagement within the political landscape.
