Civil rights advocacy group, HURIWA, has strongly criticized the suspension of Senator Abdul Ningi, describing it as a coordinated cover-up and an act of legislative cowardice aimed at stifling allegations of budget padding raised by the lawmaker.
In a statement by HURIWA’s spokesperson, the group asserted that Senator Ningi’s suspension was hastily executed to suppress the weighty allegations he made regarding the padding of the 2024 budget by the National Assembly.
HURIWA condemned the suspension, labeling it a ploy by the National Assembly to conceal its tracks.
HURIWA accused the Senate of deviating from its role as the bastion of civil democracy and behaving like a secret society.
The group lamented the lack of a publicly advertised probe into Senator Ningi’s allegations and criticized the Senate for resorting to legislative blackmail and threats instead of conducting a transparent investigation.
The statement highlighted the rowdy session in the Senate where lawmakers demanded answers from Senator Ningi regarding his claims about the budget. Despite the demand for an open investigation, HURIWA noted that the suspension of Senator Ningi was executed without due process.
HURIWA emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into the allegations raised by Senator Ningi and criticized the Senate’s failure to uphold democratic principles.
The group called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to intervene and investigate the funds allocated to INEC for the conduct of elections, as well as the personal financial activities of Professor Yakubu Mahmood and other commissioners.
In conclusion, HURIWA denounced the Senate’s actions as unconstitutional and undemocratic, urging transparency and accountability in the handling of the budget padding allegations.
The group emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law and ensuring that the truth is uncovered for the benefit of the Nigerian public.
