The Senate Tuesday vowed to
expose more corrupt Nigerians following the sack of former Secretary to the
Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Babachir David Lawal and National
Intelligence Agency (NIA) Director General, Ayo Oke.
The declaration followed personal
explanation by Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah.
Na’Allah who represents Kebbi
South drew the attention of the Senate to the termination of the appointments
of Lawal and Oke by President Muhammadu Buhari.
He reminded his colleagues that
the issues that led to the sack of Lawal emanated from the Senate when the
upper chamber, after investigation, returned a verdict of guilt on the former
SGF.
Na’Allah also said that the
issues that resulted in the sack of the former Chairman, Presidential Task Force
on Pension Reforms, Abdulrasheed Maina, started with the investigation of Maina
for alleged fraud by the Senate.
He concluded that the eventual
sack of Lawal and the national outcry against the surreptitious reinstatement
of Maina is a vindication of the Senate.
Na’Allah said, “ Mr. President we
cannot claim not to know that between Monday and Tuesday there has been
official confirmation of the appointment of a new Secretary to the Government
of the Federation and of course, the termination or whatever of the appointment
former occupier of that office.
“I find it necessary to say this
because I believe in the statement that if we religiously keep to the oath of
office and our engagement with the Nigerian public that those who have tried to
bring down the institution of the Senate, God will vindicate us before their
eyes.
“The issues surrounding the
termination of the appointment of the former SGF emanated from this Eight
Senate.
“Today, we have been vindicated.
The issues surrounding Maina emanated from this Senate. Can we now not have the
authority to shout a sign of vindication?
“Mr. President, you remember that
when we resolved as a Senate to complement the efforts of the
Federal Government in the fight against corruption, we said it here and we all
took a vow here that we will do whatever that is humanly possible to live by
the oath of office we have taken, defend the constitution.
“Section 80 (2)(b) this section,
the powers conferred on the National Assembly on the provisions of
the section are exercisable only for the purpose to (a) make laws in
respect to any matter within its legislative competence and to correct any
defect within the existing law, (b)to expose corruption, inefficiency or
waste……
“Why it is necessary to make this
statement, you will remember when we started this crusade, so many things
happened.
“Let us not be quick to forget
that this same people we were fighting for, Nigerians became gullible and were
sponsored, toilets were provided for them to close the gate of the National
Assembly in the name of occupy NASS.
“Every conceivable thing has been
done to bring down the name of the Senate. Individually and collectively, in
the social media we were stoned with everything.
“What is important and
instructive today is for me as deputy leader of this Senate to implore all my
colleagues to say that the task before you in the protection of the
constitution and the laws of the federation which is the basis of the
engagement with the people who elected us is not a small task.
“That is why you see that the
oath of office given to you says you should do that without fear or favour.
“I am proud of this Senate and I
will remain proud of this Senate even in my grave.
“What I’m going to say is that we
have other investigations still pending. It is important that the committees
that are charged with the investigations should please expeditiously turn in
their report so that at the end of the day, we will have cause to glorify God
that the burden placed upon us by those who elected us to office has been
discharged to the best of our ability.
“This is why I am calling on all
other committees that have pending investigations to do so.
“In conclusion, it is important
for Nigerians to understand that it does them no good to embark on denigration
of institutions that are vested with the responsibilities to discharge these
things especially the National Assembly.
“And those who have core wisdom
or lack of it in spending money to spread falsehood all over, in order to
demean the institution of the National Assembly should know that they are doing
no good to the population of 170 million Nigerians that elected us and gave us
the responsibility to represent them in this chamber.
“Mr. President, I once again
congratulate the 8th Senate. I am very proud of you, and I will remain very
proud of you. We must keep the flag flying.”
Senate President, Abubakar Bukola
Saraki, who summed up what Na’Allah said without allowing debate said:
“It has been a tough journey to
defend the institution. I want to commend the government for doing what is
right.
“When we started it was just
blackmail, we will continue in our commitment to fight corruption,
non-selective.
“We will not renege on our
promise to expose corruption, any case that is brought to us we assure you that
we will investigate it and expose it.
“There are a few investigations
going on, committees ensure that your investigations are concluded on time and
you submit you reports.”
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ReplyDeleteExpose the corrupt amongst your members first if you want Nigerians to believe you. All these charades you label investigations have tired Nigeria's. The Senate as an institution stinks of corruption.
ReplyDelete