SAN FRANCISCO, September 29, (THEWILL) – 82 Senators at resumption of the Senate Tuesday passed a vote of confidence on Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and other principal officers of the senate.
The vote was sequel to a motion moved by Sen. David Umoru (APC-Niger) and signed by 82 senators; 48 from opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and 35 from the majority All Progressives Congress (APC).
Saraki, who is being prosecuted at the Code of Conduct Tribunal over allegations of false declaration of assets, has been up in arms against leaders of the APC, his political party since he went against the party’s directive to run and emerge Senate President.
Senator Umoru said: “The Senate notes with dismay, the attempt and continued interference in its internal affairs by detractors and media propaganda against senators, the Senate and its leadership.
“Considering the ongoing unwarranted embarrassment and aspersions being cast on the Senate and its leadership, the Senate is determined not to allow itself to be distracted.”
He added that the Senate would not succumb to cheap blackmail by any individual or group in the course of carrying out its constitutional responsibilities.
In his contribution, Sen. Ahmed Sani (APC-Zamfara) said that senators were elected by Nigerians and that no one could choose for them who should lead them.
He stressed that no one outside the Senate could initiate any action that would distabilise the Upper Chamber, urging all those nursing such intension to desist.
Raising a point of order, Sen. Babajide Omowurare (APC-Osun) asked that his name be removed from the list of signatories, as he was not a party to the vote of confidence.
Sen. Kabir Marafa (APC-Zamfara) relying on Order 53(5) and 53(8) insisted that the Senate should not have mentioned a matter pending in court.
He was ruled out of order when he moved a motion to counter the earlier motion.
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