A coalition of civil society organizations has condemned the backlash faced by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, framing it as an attack on the credibility of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. The coalition asserts that the suspension of Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi was a necessary measure to uphold public order and discipline within the Senate.
Comprising groups such as Rising-Up for a United Nigeria (RUN), Guardians of Democracy and Development (GODD), and Partners for a Legislative Agenda for Nigeria (PLAN), these CSOs emphasize the importance of unity in the Senate and call upon Senators to prioritize national development over regional divides.
This stance follows reports of clandestine movements in Northern interest groups protesting Ningi’s suspension, citing his allegations of budget padding. In a joint press statement, Amb. Solomon Adodo, Mallam Suleiman Musa, and G. C. Oluoha Esq., representing RUN, GODD, and PLAN respectively, caution against factionalism within the Senate, urging for the dissolution of groups that undermine unity.
The coalition dismisses Ningi’s claims of budget padding, highlighting his active participation in budget deliberations. They question Ningi’s decision to raise concerns publicly rather than through appropriate Senate channels, viewing his actions as an attempt to tarnish the Senate President’s reputation and undermine Tinubu’s administration.
Calling on Nigerians to support the current administration’s efforts, the coalition urges unity in restoring Nigeria’s prosperity and economic recovery amidst ongoing challenges.
