I Have No Power to Reverse Ali Ndume’s Suspension – Saraki

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on Monday said that he has no power to reverse the suspension of Senator Ali Ndume from the Senate.Ndume was recently suspended for six months by the upper legislative chamber of the National Assembly.Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of closed door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, Saraki said that the issue of Ndume’s suspension was beyond him.He said “We should try and understand how the parliament works, I wish I had such powers these powers you give me I wish I had them, the President or Speaker is first among equals they are just presiding officers but unfortunately you know the legislative arm is the youngest people don’t understand, people give us this powers that we have, decisions that are taken in plenary is decision of all but I have a role to be able to convey the message.“I will convey the message of the visit of the Governor of Borno and the Senate is one, we are all one family there will be issues like that, there is nothing that is sacrosanct or rigid.” he said
He also disclosed that the National Assembly is working hard on the 2017 Budget.
According to him, one of the reasons for visiting the President is to let him know how far the National Assembly has gone on the 2017 budget.He said “We are on course as you note last week we did ask all the sub committees to submit their reports to appropriation all that has been done now, it’s now collation and review then hopefully it will be passed very soon.On the suspension of screening of Resident Electoral Commissioners, he said “As I said this is a routine meeting, there are many things that is important but there are other things that is even more important to do which is the budget.
“We talked also about the INEC bill that we have passed I took the president through some of the areas, very important areas because you know the President over many years is somebody that has gone to many elections and seen, so that was something he was really excited about, some of the new amendments like electronic voting, talks about electronic process for collation, those are landmark achievements that we hope that very soon the House will concur and will all come here for the President to assent.“Some of these other issues it will happen but I don’t think it’s a major issue, but we are still moving ahead and still consulting.” he said On his views on the reconciliatory committee set up, he said “Good development, but like I said there will always be issues on one or two things, it doesn’t mean that it is the foundation of it, when you have an arm of government that has to do with confirmation there will always be, for example the NDDC bill we rejected 3 people from NDDC we keep on moving, we are all part of one government that is why despite all these, still major decisions are taken, like I said we did a critical amendments on INEC by Tuesday or Wednesday. For the first time in the history of the legislature, we are going to lay a report on the PIB for consideration, it has never happened, for the past 20 years it has not gotten to this stage, so its work in progress for the interest of Nigeria.“Don’t let us get distracted by one or two infractions, it’s bound to happen, even America that we are copying even today as we are watching, see what is happening on the Supreme court these are things that happen on the part of democracy but I can reassure Nigerians that it’s just a drop in the ocean, it is not an issue that should stir the whole nation, be rest assured.
Asked if the relationship between legislature and executive is cordial, he said “It is cordial, you cannot examine it based on NDDC, based on EFCC, we have other issues, we have ministerial nominees that we are going to be working on, we have the budget that is more important, we have INEC, PIB we have so many important things and I think it’s a mixture of all that should guide us, don’t let us over heat on some of these issues.”
Speaking further on his visit to the Villa, he said “As you know this is a routine, it’s part of the consultation and collaboration that we observed that has helped in improving the workings together, it’s just a routine and review, most important issue now is the budget.”Also speaking with journalists, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu ‎Dogara, said that his visit to the seat of power was routine.He said “It baffles me when people see you visit Mr. President they will think something is wrong, nothing is wrong, it is routine visits‎.According to him, the face-off between the executive and legislature over the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, is not a crisis.He said “You might look at it as crisis but I don’t look at it as crisis. You know I have always said this that as a government our value will be the problems we have solve.“We can’t be remembered for avoiding, we can’t be remembered for running away from problems, it is only when‎ we provide solution to some of the things you refer to as crisis and we look at it as opportunities to begin the new that people will now remember us for putting down enduring legacies.“But when we run away from everything that appears to be trouble we will not make it.Asked whether he has solved the problem from the meeting, he said “I tell you they will overcome it. I’m not in the Senate and I am not the Spokesperson for the Senate so the Senate will speak for themselves.On whether the planned protest against the National Assembly was manipulated from outside, he said “I wouldn’t know, this is a democracy we are running and we have to open the space to civil society, to everyone who feel aggrieved to be able to air his grievances.“So, if they have grievances against the institution of the legislature we will take it. You see the point is we should never run away from crisis, crisis are always wonderful opportunities for us to begin the new, for us to set new boundaries, for us to begin to examine things in a new way.“So we should welcome crisis, they are the engines that always propel growth and progress. So if anyone think he has issues with the national assembly let him come and we will have the opportunity to explain, that is the beauty of democracy,” he said.

DSS Clears Saraki of Ownership of Stolen N310m From His House

The Department of State Security (DSS) has cleared the President of the Senate Dr. Bukola Saraki of ownership of N310 million alleged to have been stolen from his house.This will be the second time the security agency would be clearing Saraki of owning the said sumstolen by operatives of the service now standing trial.According to reports in Vanguard newspaper, the DSS stated on clear terms that the cash did not belong to Saraki or any member of the National Assembly.The Security body rather accused its dismissed staff, who is now standing trial for armed robbery, Abdulrasheed Maigari, of trying to fabricate a lie for a hidden motive.It will be recalled that Maigari, a former DSS operative, had said that he and others connived to steal the huge cash from the Senate President’s home when they were working as security operatives in his house.Earlier today, the media office of the President of the Senate Dr. Bukola Saraki has denied for the second time, reports alleging that N310 million was stolen from the house of the Senate’s President.In a stamen signed by Sanni Onogu, Chief Press Secretary to Saraki, he said that the reports which had been proven false by the Police and DSS were resurfacing again.According to the statement, the report which first surfaced in December 2015 are the handiwork of those who only want to rub the name of the President of the Senate in the Mud.Onogu therefore urged Nigerians to disregard the report wherever it is published as it is untrue.

Senate Can Not Be Intimidated From Carrying Out Constitutional Duties – Saraki

Senate President Bukola Saraki has insisted that the upper legislative chamber will not be intimidated as it seeks to discharge its constitutional duties.Saraki stated this following a closed-door meeting by the Senate on Tuesday before plenary.He revealed that the lawmakers deliberated on issues bordering on the National Assembly’s integrity.“We cannot be intimidated from carrying out our constitutional duties at all times.“Nothing will stop the National Assembly, especially the Senate, from performing its duties,” he said.Saraki has given a final deadline for sub-committees to submit their 2017 budget reports to the Appropriations Committee.The Senate President gave Thursday as the last day for the budget report submission.Saraki gave the order after a closed-door session and expressed disappointment that about 20 committees were yet to submit report to the Danjuma Goje-led Appropriations Committee.According to Saraki, after Thursday’s deadline, the Red Chamber would have no choice, but rely on submissions from the Executive.

Saraki Congratulates Newly-elected CAF President, Ahmad Ahmad

The President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Thursday congratulated the newly-elected President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Ahmad Ahmad on his victory at the polls.Saraki, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, described Ahmad as a consummate technocrat, who can help to usher in a new era of innovation and positive change into the affairs of CAF.He commended the outgoing President of CAF, Issa Hayatou, for his services and immense contribution to the development of football in Africa in his 29-year headship of the body.“Ahmad’s victory is a testament to his message and determination to positively alter the 29-year status quo in CAF,” Saraki said, “Hayatou has served the organization well, now, we look forward to the new leadership to usher in a new era of change and effectiveness to raise the standard of African football across all levels.”Saraki also urged all Football Associations (FA) across the continent to rally round the new CAF President to enable him deliver on his electioneering promises, for the good of African football.“This is a new beginning and we cannot afford to make the mistakes of the past. African football has been yearning for a new direction and now that this opportunity to inject fresh blood into the management of the continental body has been realized, it is time for all stakeholders to roll up their sleeves and support the new executive to extend the frontiers and fortunes of African Football at the global level,” Saraki said.

Senate Played Its Constitutional Role, Saraki On Magu’s Rejection

Following the rejection of Mr Ibrahim Magu as the substantive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, said the upper chamber had played its constitutional role as an arm of government.President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki He called on President Muhammadu Buhari to send the name of another nominee to fill any vacuum that might be created in the commissionSaraki said, “with the screening being carried out in a transparent manner, we see democracy at work.“I believe we have played our part; we have followed the Constitution and due process.“We hope that the executive will quickly act and bring in another name as soon as possible so that the activities of the agency will not be crippled.’’The lawmakers, in a voice vote at plenary session, on Wednesday, rejected Magu’s re-nomination after a letter from the Department of State Services indicated that he failed another integrity test.The Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Capital territory (FCT), Sen. Dino Melaye, had brought to the notice of Magu that the Senate on Tuesday received a letter from the DSS, stating that he failed the integrity test.Melaye said the content of the letter submitted to the Clerk of the Senate, Mr Nelson Ayewoh, stated reasons for DSS’s conclusion.He said the two reports from the DSS addressed to the Senate in October and to the chamber were received by the office of the Clerk of the Senate on Tuesday.He said, “Mr Ibrahim Magu, nominee for the position of the Chairman of the EFCC, the first report indicted you.“But because of the letter from Mr President, you are here again. Mr Chairman, if I have your permission, I want to read page five, paragraph 14 of that report.“It says: `In the light of the foregoing, Magu has failed the integrity test and will eventually constitute a liability to the anti-corruption fight of the present administration.”Melaye said the Senate had the prerogative to request the DSS to screen any government appointee sent for confirmation.“We do request for the screening of every nominee that comes to this Senate by the DSS. It did not start with you and it will not end with you.“The DSS is to us what the FBI and CIA is and we cannot ridicule, undermine, and put in abeyance, the report of the DSS.“Anyone who wants to be chairman of EFCC must have the character and characteristics from the words of Caesar. You must be unblemished, you must be pure, and you must be stainless.”Sen. Barnabas Gemade (APC-Benue), expressed concern that there was a lot of indicting issues in the DSS report.He said the letter contained among others, three major accusations dealing with security files, his relationship with one Air Commodore Umar Mohammed as well as integrity.Gemade said, “The letter says that the same Umar Mohammed is a dubious personality and this report, therefore, tends to show that your friendship with this Umar Mohammed indicates that your integrity is also in question.“You have not responded to that matter and as a Senator, I believe, you need to respond to this issue.Who is Umar Mohammed and what your relationship with him is will help deal with the totality of this report.”The lawmaker further raised concern about the manner in which the commission was handling high profile cases under Magu.He said the life of those cases seems to be totally endless, adding that those cases have been in court for almost a decade.Magu said the accusations against him were unfounded, stressing that the DSS did not give him a fair hearing before writing to the Senate.He said that the credibility of the DSS was at stake in view of the fact that besides not giving him a fair hearing, two varying letters were sent to Senate on the same day.“DSS submitted two varying reports about me on the same day. That goes to (question) tell you the credibility of such an institution.“How can you submit two different reports on the same matter, the same date? I have respect for everybody in this place.“Please, what does it mean if an institution submits two varying reports on the same person on the same day?“Also, I was not invited at the DSS. So I was not given a fair hearing on the issues that made them say I failed integrity test.“On the DSS report you referred to, up to this time, the DSS has not invited me to a fair hearing. It is a fundamental issue. It is a constitutional issue,’’ he said.On claims of two varying letters by Magu, Clerk of the Senate, Mr Nelson Ayewo, denied receiving two letters on the same day.Ayewo said, “Only one letter was received in my office on Oct.3, 2016, with reference number SB 114/2 from the Department of State Services.“The one of yesterday was actually sent because a request was made again after the re-nomination. So the one of yesterday, SB 114/9 dated March 14, 2017, was to reaffirm the content of the earlier letter.’’The DSS report, dated March 14, contained several accusations of Magu flying first class against the directive of President Buhari and associating with people being investigated by the commission.It further stated that Magu lived in a N20m per year apartment rented for him by an individual being investigated by the commission.The Presidency had in July 2016 written to the Senate, seeking the screening and confirmation of Magu as substantive chairman of EFCC.The rejection of the first nomination necessitated President Buhari to re-submit the name for reconsideration which had again been rejected by the Senate.