The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has expressed disapproval over the suspension of Sen. Abdul Ningi, the former Chairman of the Northern Senators Forum, by the Senate, asserting that the welfare of the Northern region is at stake.
In a statement issued by Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the National Publicity Secretary of ACF, it was emphasized that the Senate should have conducted an investigation into the allegations raised by the senator to ascertain their validity rather than resorting to suspension.
The ACF urged the Senate to exercise greater caution when addressing criticisms of its proceedings.
Ningi had claimed that N3.7 trillion allocated in the 2024 budget was not earmarked for any specific project.
ACF acknowledged that the 10th Senate had refuted these allegations, deeming them unsubstantiated, and highlighted that the interests of various communities in Northern Nigeria are jeopardized.
Instead of hastily suspending Ningi, ACF advocated for a comprehensive inquiry into the allegations by a committee established either by statute or ad hoc means.
It underscored that the allegations of budget padding, along with concerns regarding the inclusion of items benefiting particular communities of certain senators as “constituency projects,” remain unaddressed, with potentially adverse consequences for both the Senate and the executive branch.