Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua, the senator representing Katsina Central in the National Assembly, has been appointed as the new chairman of the Northern Senators’ Forum.
Yar’Adua, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), assumed the role of the forum’s chair following the suspension of Senator Abdul Ningi two days earlier.
Ningi, the senator for Bauchi Central, raised allegations of budget padding amounting to N3.7 trillion against the upper chamber.
While budget padding is not a new issue in Nigeria, this marks the first instance where a serving senator, who actively participated in the budget passage, has accused fellow lawmakers of such actions.
In a statement on Tuesday, Ningi cited unfolding events in the National Assembly, the northern region, and the nation as his reasons for resignation.
The forum appointed Senator Tahir Mungono from Borno North as its spokesperson, replacing Senator Sumaila Kawu. Senator Kawu had been cautioned by the Senate to refrain from sharing posts that could incite unrest in the country.
