Yar’adua replaces Ningi as chair, Northern Senators Forum

Senator Abdulaziz (APC, Katsina Central) has replaced Senator Abdul Ningi representing PDP, Bauchi Central as the chairman of the Northern Senators Forum two days after the suspension of Ningi.

The Senate on Tuesday suspended Ningi, for granting an interview to BBC Hausa Service, in which he alleged that Nigeria’s budget for the 2024 fiscal year was padded to the tune of N3.7 trillion without link to any project or location.

Following his three-month suspension, Ningi resigned as chairman of the Northern Senators Forum.

At their meeting on Thursday in Abuja, the Northern Senators appointed Yar’adua as their new chairman.

In his acceptance speech, Yar’adua said he would work in consultation with other senators to preserve the unity and progress of the North and Nigeria at large.

He said, “I am aware of the challenges facing the Northern region which Include, security, agriculture, education, healthcare, drug abuse and human trafficking. Others are so numerous to mention.

“The major objective of the Northern Forum is to promote the interest of Nigeria first followed by development of the North through collaboration with our distinguished colleagues from the South and cooperating with the executive arm of government to ensure that the challenges of the region are attended to.

“In advancing these noble objectives, I am committed to streamlined activities within the Northem Senators Forum. We shall operate with transparency, accountability, and integrity, upholding the trust placed on us by the electorate,” Daily Trust reports.