Why Saraki Won't Resign Says Senate Majority Leader

Ali Ndume, the Senate leader has insisted that Bukola Saraki, the Senate president will not resign.

Senate Majority leader Ali Ndume

Speaking with State House correspondents on Tuesday, February 9, Ndume said the Senate is not in a hurry to condemn Saraki before his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) is concluded, The Nation reports.

According to him, Saraki will only resign after he is convicted by the CCT.

He said: “Are you saying that the Senate President should be convicted before the trial?

“In our constitution, you are considered innocent until proven guilty.”

The Senate leader who earlier held a closed door meeting with the acting president, Yemi Osinbajo said his visit was not in any way related to Saraki’s travail.

He noted that it was not a new thing for people to read meaning into visits to the presidential villa.

“This government is our government. I am the Senate leader in this government, so my coming here today is not supposed to be a new thing. My coming here should even be more regular,” he said.

Ndume said his visit was to solidarize with the acting president, adding that there are a lot of things like the budget, which they need to consult on with Osinbajo.

According to him, the senators used the opportunity of the meeting to discuss pressing issues the vice president.

Recall that last Friday, February 5, President Muhammadu Buhari embarked on a 5-day vacation. He handed over to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. who will perform the functions of the president till he returns.

The Senate leader was accompanied by Dino Melaye and Abdullahi Adamu.

Last Saturday, Senator Kabiru Marafa, a leader of the Unity Forum called on Saraki to resign honourably while his corruption trial at the CCT continues, before he is disgraced out.

In reaction, Senator Dino Melaye (APC-Kogi State), who speaks for the Like Minds caucus, a pro-Saraki group of lawmakers said there was no cause for Saraki to resign.

Meanwhile, human rights lawyer, Femi Falana has also called for the resignation of the Senate president, stressing that it is vital to save the face of Nigeria’s legislature.

Source: Naij.com