Senate Rages At Sgf, Lawal For Dismissing Its Resolution As Rubbish

SAN FRANCISCO, December 16, (THEWILL) – The Senate has fumed at the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Mr Babachir Lawal for saying that the upper chamber is talking rubbish  following its resolution for his resignation and prosecution over alleged mismanagement of funds meant for Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs.

The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, insisted that must be sacked by President Muhammadu Buhari for engaging in alleged corrupt practice, adding that the world is watching Buhari on how he would handle the Senate's resolution on Wednesday , which demanded the sack of Lawal , for allegedly soiling his hands in corrupt practices.

The Senate resolved to probe Lawal's alleged railings against its decision that he be sacked by the President for allegedly contravening the provisions of the Public Procurement Act, 2007, and the Federal Government Financial Rules and Regulations on the award of contracts under the Presidential Initiative on North-East.

Speaking during Thursday's plenary, Saraki wondered why an appointee of the President would be rude to the Upper Legislative Chamber at a time Buhari was seeking the hand of the legislature in fellowship in the interest of national development.

He went on to stress that the ongoing war against corruption in the country by Buhari must not have limit if the country must be put on path of sanity.

“The President (Buhari) came here yesterday ( Wednesday ) humbly telling us that he seeks our partnership. Then how can his Secretary (to the Government of the Federation) said we are talking rubbish,” he said.

Saraki also said: “The issue here is very serious because it borders on the integrity of this institution. Matters as serious as this should never be personalised.

“Yesterday, when we heard the president, the number one citizen of this country humbly telling us he is seeking cooperation of the National Assembly, and how can his Secretary tell us we are talking rubbish.

“The two conversations are not on the same page. We must protect this institution and it is not the kind of language and it is out of order if somebody has been accused of something, the way we should respond, and for him to say we are speaking rubbish, I think he is personalising the issues.”