The Senators has passed a vote of confidence on Saraki who was arraigned
and docked by the Code of Conduct Tribunal on a 13 count charges involving
false assets declaration.
The Senate which met today, Tuesday, passed the vote of confidence on
Saraki amidst rowdy session. Similarly, Senate expects ministerial list
from the president as speculations become high as for which prominent
competent Nigerians will make the list. Currently, the Special Adviser to
the President on National Assembly matters, Mr. Ita Enang is already in at
the Senate, perhaps to present the ministerial list.
However, following the vote of confidence on Saraki, some pro-Saraki
supporters converge at the Senate entrance to chant solidarity songs for
Saraki and his deputy Ike Ekweremadu.
The pro democracy group, Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo Youth Movement ,ONYM, led by Mr
Uche Nnadi told newsmen that the rally to the National Assembly was also
to protest the use of anti-corruption war by politicians for personal
gains.
“This despair is caused by the fact that the anti-corruption war which
Nigeria in general and Igbo youths have keyed into is being misused by few
political elite to fight their political war.
“We must state categorically that it is an act of corruption to use the
anti-corruption war for party politics and political benefits,’’ Nnadi
said.
He faulted the trial of Saraki by the Code of Conduct Tribunal, saying
that he was being persecuted because his emergence as Senate President
allowed an Igbo man to be the Deputy Senate President.
According to him, the trial of the Senate President by the code of conduct
Tribunal is in contravention of section 3(d) of the Code of Conduct Bureau
and Tribunal Act.
“The same Chairman of the Tribunal Mr Danladi Umar ruled in favour of the
principle in section 3(d) on the November 30, 2011 in the case against
Senator Ahmed Tinubu.
“And today is insisting on trying the Senate President.
“We know that Mr Danladi Umar cannot overrule himself,’’ he said.
Nnadi, therefore, urged the tribunal to quash the charges against the
Senate President and discharge him.
He added that Saraki’s trial was quickly contrived to force him out of
office.
“Otherwise why will all this political tension when the man has not been
found guilty.
“Our law still upholds a man as innocent until he is found guilty,’’ he said.
The protesters displayed placards : “No to Witch-hunting” and “No to Plot
To Destabilize National Assembly”.
The protesters were pushed beyond the first entry point of NASS gate by
security operatives who were very polite in discharging their duties.
