The Senate on Tuesday began action over the alleged inclusion of non-indigenes as indigenes of Bauchi State in the shortlisted candidates for the Nigeria Air Force basic military training course.

The petition written by Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed, was submitted by Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) during plenary.

The governor argued in the petition that the inclusion of non-indigenes as indigenes of Bauchi in the training was against the interest of the state.

He said the act was a source of concern, noting that, “It’s against the interest of applicants from Bauchi State.”

He also argued in the petition that it was an attempt to marginalise the state.

After reading the petition and laying it before the Senate, Senate President Godswill Akpabio referred it to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions and the Committee on Air Force for further legislative work.

Akpabio said, “The petition will be argued at the committee’s level.” He also mandated the committees to act on the petition and report back to plenary within 7 days.