Ningi: Reckless or courageous?

 

For a man who has been a lawmaker since 1999, recklessness cannot be one of the attributes of the now suspended Senator Abdu Ningi.

Ningi, the Senator representing Bauchi Central granted an interview to the BBC Hausa on Saturday, March 9 where he claimed that at least N3.7 trillion in the 2024 budget could not be traced to any specific projects.

On Tuesday, March 12, the Senator was tongue lashed at plenary by his colleagues and slammed with three months suspension.

But on social media, Ningi has been receiving salute from Nigerians who see merit in his allegation. Even the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi and Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed took the side of Ningi.

Who really is Ningi?

Born on April 20, 1960, Ningi is serving his second term as a senator representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District in the 10th National Assembly. He represents his district under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Ningi first came into the National Assembly in 1999 as a member of the House of Representatives, representing the Ningi Federal Constituency. In 2003 and 2007, he was also re-elected to represent his constituents.

During this period, he served on various committees and was also the House majority leader from 2003 to 2007. Subsequently, he moved to the Senate in 2011, where he served as the Senate deputy majority leader under the PDP.

Earlier in his political career, in 1984, he was appointed by the Bauchi State Government as a social welfare officer. By 1986, he rose to the rank of secretary of the Bauchi Rent.

After a stint in the private sector, he returned to politics in 1996 and contested for a seat in the Bauchi State Assembly under the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP) platform and won. However, the Abacha-led government cancelled the elections.

Until his resignation on Tuesday, Ningi was the chairman of the Northern Senators’ Forum.