Today, the Senator representing Bauchi North Senatorial District, Senator Abdul Ningi, returned to plenary sessions following a three-month suspension.

The Senate had pardoned and recalled him, ending his suspension that began on March 12, 2024.

Last week, Deputy Minority Leader Senator Abba Moro moved a motion for Ningi’s recall, expressing regret on his behalf and taking responsibility for his actions.

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, subsequently announced Ningi’s unconditional recall after pleas from some lawmakers.

Ningi’s suspension stemmed from a controversial interview where he alleged discrepancies in the 2024 budget, claiming the National Assembly approved N25tn while the Presidency implemented N28.7tn.

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The national assembly has dissociated itself from a purported draft bill seeking to return Nigeria to a regional system of government.

Nigeria practised the regional system of government after it gained independence in 1960.

In 1979, after military rule, Nigeria adopted the presidential system of government and has maintained it to date.

On Friday, the national assembly distanced itself from the bill after a document titled ‘A bill for an act to substitute the annexure to Decree 24 of 1999 with a new governance model for the Federal Republic of Nigeria’, went viral on social media.

The bill is said to have been drafted by one Akin Fapohunda, who is not a member of the national assembly.

However, Yemi Adaramodu, the senate’s spokesperson, said there is no such bill before the national assembly.

“Such a bill is not with us. And who is sponsoring the bill? The National Assembly plenary is always held openly with the media in the chambers,” Adaramodu told TheCable.

“In which order paper has such been reflected?”

Akin Rotimi, the spokesperson of the house of representatives, also denied the existence of such a bill.

“The committees on rules and business and constitution review have confirmed that there is no such bill before them,” THE PUNCH quoted Rotimi as saying.

Jimoh Ibrahim, senator representing Ondo south, has withdrawn a suit seeking to void the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary poll in Ondo state.

Ibrahim had lost out to Lucky Aiyedatiwa, incumbent governor of Ondo, in the primary that was held on April 20.

The senator had described the exercise as a “mega fraud”.

However, in a statement on Tuesday, the lawmaker said President Bola Tinubu called and held a meeting with him over the primary poll.

He said Tinubu assured him that the internal democracy of the party would be strengthened.

“The President called me, had a meeting with me, and assured me that he will as the leader of the party improve on internal democracy within our party, and I will need to withdraw the case to enable him to chart a way forward,” he said.

“The Governor of Ondo state Lucky Aiyedatiwa earlier visited my Asokoro residence for several hours after another unsuccessful visit to my hotel room in Akure.

“I cannot disobey the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria because the issue I am fighting for is not personal.

“It is simply to improve internal democracy to which the President has promised improvement. My respect for the President is absolute!

“Let me use this opportunity to thank Mr. President for the words of wisdom and encouragement during my meeting with him which lasted over one hour and his various interactions with me on the telephone, during which he emphasized his commitment to internal democracy over and over again.”