Top Anti-saraki Senator, Marafa Incurs Wrath Of Colleagues Over Comments In Newspaper

SAN FRANCISCO, February 17, (THEWILL) – The lawmaker representing Zamfara Central, Senator Kabiru Marafa, who is in the forefront of those challenging Bukola Saraki's leadership of the Senate, has been referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges, after his colleagues accused him of smearing the image of the upper legislative chamber through a “false” newspaper publication.

During Tuesday's plenary, the lawmakers claimed that Marafa defamed the image of the Senate and misled the public in a report published by Punch newspaper on February 7 where the embattled Senator was quoted as requesting Saraki to resign to face trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal over an alleged assets falsification charge.

Marafa was also reported as urging Nigerians to recall all senators in an event that the Senate President refused to step down, and other senators failed to demand his resignation.

But venting his anger over Marafa's latest newspaper interview, an All Progressives Congress, APC member from Bauchi State, Senator Isa Misau, raised a point of order, where he asserted that he “struggled very hard” for 11 years to become a senator, hence could not tolerate any attempt to ridicule the Senate.

“I am a person who struggled very hard to be here. I think the leader has to do something about this,” he said, adding that “We cannot allow one person to continue to tell lies. Not only Marafa but anybody misleading the public.”

Misau maintained that Marafa's comments in the newspaper report breached his privilege as a senator.

Also speaking, Senator Matthew Uroghide from Edo State, said the Zamfara lawmaker's actions and utterances were unacceptable and should not be treated with levity.

His words, “It took 11 years for Senator Misau to get to the senate; it took me 23 years. For one senator to think and act in a manner that will reduce my person is totally unacceptable.

“If anyone has read that interview, you will know it is an issue that we must look at very dispassionately. There were things that have no basis.”

“If anyone is there to misguide the public, it should not be at the expense of this chamber,” Mr. Uroghide said.

The upper chamber consequently referred the matter to its Committee on Ethics and Privileges and Public Petitions to report back to the House in one week. However, Senator Marafa was not in attendance during the deliberation.