Yar’Adua Emerges As Northern Senators’ Forum Chairman After Ningi’s Suspension

The lawmaker representing Katsina Central, Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua, has been appointed the new chairman of the Northern Senators’ Forum.

This appointment, made by the All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker, comes in the wake of Senator Abdul Ningi’s suspension, which followed his allegations of budget padding against the upper chamber.

Senator Ningi, the representative for Bauchi Central, recently brought the Nigerian Senate into the spotlight by accusing his fellow lawmakers of padding the 2024 budget by a staggering N3.7 trillion.

His claims have reignited discussions on budget padding, a contentious issue in Nigeria’s legislative practices, marking a rare instance where an active participant in the budget’s passage has levied such accusations.

In the wake of these events, Senator Ningi cited the ongoing developments in the National Assembly, the northern region, and the country at large as reasons for his resignation from the forum’s leadership.

The allegations and subsequent leadership reshuffle have underscored the pressing need for transparency and accountability within the legislative process, drawing attention from various sectors of Nigerian society.

Furthermore, the Northern Senators’ Forum announced the appointment of Senator Tahir Mungono of Borno North as its new spokesperson.

Senator Mungono replaces Senator Sumaila Kawu, who faced admonitions from the Senate for disseminating posts deemed capable of inciting unrest within the country.