Akwa Ibom Assembly approves government’s N10bn loan request from Excess Crude Account

The Akwa Ibom House of Assembly on Tuesday gave approval for the state government to obtain a loan of N10 billion from the Excess Crude Account (ECA).

The approval followed a letter from Gov Udom Emmanuel with reference number GHU/AKS/S 104/V.4/702, dated Sept. 15, 2015, seeking the approval of the House for the loan.

The letter, which was read by the clerk, Mrs Mandu Umoren, was introduced to the assembly by Mr Usoro Akpanusoh (PDP-Esit Eket/Ibeno) and Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation and Finance.

According to the letter, the loan will enable the state government to invest in infrastructure development projects such as roads, flood control and drainage.

The letter reminded the lawmakers that at the National Executive Council meeting of June 2015, it was resolved that the money in the ECA, usually shared among states, be kept for states that had needs to access it as loan.

After careful deliberation on the matter, the house said that the loan was necessary, in view of the fact that it had single digit interest of nine per cent and 20 years repayment period.

The Speaker, Mr Anieakan Uko, directed the clerk to communicate the approval of the house to the governor for necessary action. (NAN)

Ebonyi Assembly recalls suspended Minority Leader

The Ebonyi state House of Assembly on Tuesday recalled one of its suspended members, Ude Nwachi, representing Afikpo North/East constituency.

Ms. Nwachi of the Labour Party is the minority leader of the  house.

The suspension that lasted for month was lifted following  a motion moved on the floor of the assembly by Victor Chukwu, representing Ezza North west constituency and seconded by Onu Nnoye, representing Ohaozara west constituency.

The suspension followed an alleged involvement of the minority leader in a violent protest and breach of peace along Abakaliki/Afikpo federal highway which caused the burning of some vehicles belonging to Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC.

Mr. Chukwu noted that the suspended minority leader had shown enough remorse and that she had as well served the duration of her suspension.

The Speaker of the House, Francis Nwifuru, put the motion to recall Ms. Nwachi to vote and it was unanimously adopted.

Buhari seeks Senate confirmation of Fowler, Kuru

President Muhammadu Buhari has asked Senate to confirm  the appointments of Ahmed Kuru as the Managing Director of Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) for a first term of five years.

Similarly, he has also requested for the confirmation of Mr. William Babatunde Fowler as Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) for a first term of four years in conformity with section 3(2)(a) of the Federal Inland Revenue Services( establishment) Act, 2007.

Also, he has written for the confirmation of the appointment of Professor Umaru Garba Danbatta as the executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communication commission ( NCC) for a first term of five years in accordance with section 8(1) of the Nigerian Communication Act, 2003.

Alongside Kuru’s  confirmation  as AMCON boss, the president also requested for confirmation of Kola Ayeye, Eberechukwu Fortunate Uneze,  and Aminu Ismail as executive directors

Saraki: Death of Appeal Court Justices stalls hearing

Hearing in the appeal filed by Senate President, Bukola Saraki, against his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal was yesterday, stalled due to the death of two Justices of the court, Justices Abubakar Abdulkadir Jega and Musa Hassan Alkali of the Abuja and Ilorin Divisions in the stampede in Mina, Saudi Arabia.

Saraki had approached the appellate court to quash the warrant of arrest slammed against him by the tribunal and suspend its proceedings, pending the determination of the substantive appeal he lodged against the Danladi Umar-led panel.

But the court refused his application and directed that he should put the respondents on notice and adjourned the case to yesterday.

However, the Court of Appeal, which was in mourning mood, did not sit. Instead, it further adjouned the case to Tuesday.

Saraki’s lawyer, Mr. Adebayo Adelodun (SAN) stated that the senate president had raised 12 grounds of appeal against the decision of the tribunal, last Friday, adding that the appeal was supported by a 16-paragraph affidavit and four exhibits.

Besides, Saraki deposed to another 17-paragraph affidavit of urgency, wherein he urged the higher court to intervene and protect him from what he described as, “a politically motivated witch-hunt”.

But instead of acceding to his prayers, the appellate court panel headed by Justice Moore Adumein, directed the applicant to go and put all the parties to the matter on notice.

The appellate court held: “We have read all the processes before this court and considered submissions by counsel to the applicant.  Even though pursuant to section 15 of the Court of Appeal Act, 2004, this court has general power to grant or make an interim order of injunction, ordinarily, this court does not grant ex-parte motions.

“We are, therefore, of the view that the respondents shall be put on notice. Consequently, the applicant’s motion ex-parte is refused and struck out.”

It directed Saraki to go and serve all the parties to the suit with the relevant processes to enable them  appear yesterday.Other members of the appeal court panel that gave the ruling were Justices Joseph Ekanem and Mustapha Mohammed.

Meanwhile, the Federal High Court has commenced hearing on the fundamental rights enforcement suit that Saraki filed against the Federal Government. Justice Mohammed adjourned the matter for hearing on a day all the defendants, including the Federal Ministry of Justice, the chairmen of the CCT and Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) as well as a deputy director in the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. M.S. Hassan, who signed the charge against Saraki, adduced reasons the senate rresident should be compelled to face trial.

'Saraki’s trial could lead to constitutional crisis’

Elder statesman and Constitutional lawyer, Dr. Tunji Braithwaite has cautioned the Federal Government and the ruling All progressives Congress (APC), on the likely consequences of the ongoing trial of the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

He warned that the ongoing trial could erupt into unprecedented major political and constitutional crisis.

Although, Braithwaite said he is not against the trial of the Senate president nor doubted the criminality of the charges, however he said, “I do not see the trial going anywhere because the prosecutors are not sure of their case against the Senate president.”

In similar vein, the National Secretary, Labour Party (LP), Mr. Kayode Ajulo said the ongoing travails of Saraki amounted to nothing but a “selective trial with a traits of witch hunting.”

Dr. Braithwaite and Ajulo in separate interviews with The Guardian yesterday were of the common view that, “A democracy without transparency, justice and equity will not stand the test of time.”

According to Braithwaite, “The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) cannot get Saraki removed from office in the first instance. It is a political action that will fail and hopefully it must fail.”

The elder statesman added that if they (Saraki’s) prosecutors have a serious case against him why going to such a lame duck tribunal? “I called it a lame duck because it is not suppose to do most of the things that we saw it doing. I don’t know if it has criminal jurisdiction, I am not sure but what I know is that if that is the way those after Saraki wanted to get him out of office, it will be very sad. Then it means that corruption is still very much driving the entire process.”

“The 13 counts charge against Saraki can be criminal, no doubt, but then, why go to such lame duck tribunal? I hold the view that Saraki’s lawyers should just proceed to the Court of Appeal and have the whole dam thing struck out, because it is null and void.

“If they are trying to get him removed from the office in this manner it will certainly back fire because to people like us, even though I do not belong to their party, it engenders sympathy for the man because I hate injustice. It doesn’t matter who the perpetrator of injustice is.

The elder statesman lampooned those behind the matter, saying: “It is obvious that they are not sure of their case, they are not sure of the tribunal and of the criminality they are charging this fellow for that is the reason why they approached such a lame duck tribunal perhaps just to intimidate and to whip their victim to lying. In a way it is a kind of blackmail by the authorities because the prosecutors are not sure of their ground.”

He said whatever the consequences of the case are “Nigerians are going to benefit from it because some people are already feeling and behaving as if they owned the country and government.

“What Saraki is going through has more to do with the internal issues within the party. But what I can see from the distance is that certain people within the APC are not favorably disposed to Saraki’s becoming the President of the Senate. Those who think because they bankrolled President Muhammadu Buhari’s emergence as their presidential candidate also felt that they should have their candidates in position of power. It is obvious to me that it is an intra party power play.”

Ajulo however said the whole matter appears sickening and worrisome because of the selective tendency behind it “I doubted the motive and sincerity behind the trial.”

While he said has no problem with Saraki’s trial “there was a time we conducted a research and got to know that over 90 per cent of those that declared their assets in Nigeria did so wrongly. My organization, Egalitarian Mission Africa, approached the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and offered to do free consultancy to give the bureau a detail information of the entire public officers who declared their assets wrongly, many of them declared only their assets without declaring their liabilities according to the law but till date CCB never responded to us.

“Saraki is not the only culpable public officer, so why singled him out? Democracy is all about transparency therefore the government should make the trial wholly. The President of the Senate is only singled out because he has issues with some powers that be otherwise if he did not emerge as President of the Senate against the desires of some cabals within the APC, would he have been facing trial now.

“I want Nigerians to ruminate over the issue because it is beginning to make the ongoing fight against corruption appear doubtful because all the past governors that are now in the Senate are also alleged to have issues with the declaration of their assets and liabilities.”

On why the office of President of the Senate has always been engrossed in controversies since 1999 the country returned to democratic rule, Braithwaite said, “It is part of the reason some of us have been agitating for restructuring of the country. The power of the Office of the Senate President is so enormous like that of the office of the presidency. The duties of the Senate President include approving appointments for the president, in other words if they don’t approve presidential nominees, it cannot have any strength, the president cannot make certain appointments. This will hold the president down. So the Senate presidency remains a very influential office.

“That is the more reason every political power play is interested in who occupies the position because the job of the Senate president must be in tandem with that of the president. ”

Ajulo however is of the opinion that the country’s Constitution needed to be amended to make the office of the President of the Senate less attractive.

According to him, “The President of the Senate, unlike the offices of the president and governor, is simply that of ‘first among equal’ but it attracted such enormous powers and paraphernalia of office breeds dangerous intrigues among the senators who will always want to undo and unseat the person occupying the position at a particular point in time. The simple assignment of the office of the President of the Senate is to coordinate the affairs of other senators but this has been twisted to something else. Imagine the kind of convoy that follows a President of the Senate, I think there is the need to review the functions and powers of the office very well.

Past Senate Presidents and their ordeals

CHIEF Evan Enwerem was elected to the Nigerian Senate in 1999 to represent the Imo-East Senatorial Zone. He became the first President of the Nigerian Senate during Nigeria’s Fourth Republic but failed to stay long in office after a Senate Committee investigated him for allegations of corruption in 1999 that he falsified his name, and caused a controversy as to whether his actual name was Evan or Evans.

He was removed from office on November 18, 1999.

Senator Dr. Chuba Okadigbo succeeded Enwerem. But Okadigbo was in turn accused of corruption allegations and was removed from office, on August 8, 2000.

Senator Anyim Pius Anyim was appointed President of the Senate in August 2000, after Dr. Okadigbo had been impeached. He held office until May 2003.

Senator Adolphus Wabara was elected to the Senate in 1999, and reelected in 2003. He was president of the Senate of from 2003 to 2005.

In April 2005 Wabara resigned from his position after allegations that he and others took bribe from the education minister.

Senator Ken Nnamani was elected to the Senate to represent Enugu East in 2003 and became President of the Senate from April 5, 2005 to 2007. He resigned due to allegations of corruption.

Senator David Mark became president of the senate in 2007 and left in 2015 when the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lost the majority seat to the ruling APC.

Saraki took over on June 2015. Saraki is currently facing trial for a 13-s charge ranging from anticipatory declaration of assets to making false declaration of assets in forms he filed before the Code of Conduct Bureau while he was governor of Kwara State. He is also being accused of failing to declare some assets he acquired while in office as governor. He is also accused of acquiring assets beyond his legitimate earnings also operating foreign accounts while being a public officer

The offences, the charge said, violated sections of the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended and he also breached Section 2 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act and punishable under paragraph 9 of the said Fifth Schedule of the Constitution.

Assembly dashes Ambode’s hope over commissioners

Lagos—Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State’s hope  to swear in members of his cabinet next Monday was dashed yesterday as the members of the Lagos State House of Assembly adjourned sitting till October 13 without screening the nominees.

Ambode last Monday sent a list of commissioner and special adviser-nominees to the House for screening.

However, against the norm, the house set up a 15-man committee that will screen the nominees.

A statement from the governor’s office when the list  was sent to the Assembly said the governor was expected to swear in the new  commissioners and special advisers on October 5, with the anticipation that the nominees would have been screened immediately after the Sallah holidays.

“The screening of the list is expected to commence immediately after the Sallah holidays while cleared cabinet members would  be sworn-in to resume the task of governance by Monday, October 5, 2015,” the statement said.

But on the floor of the Assembly  yesterday, the House simply set up a 15-man ad-hoc committee to secretly screen the nominees and make recommendations to the general house.

Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, immediately after setting up the committee, explained to shocked guests and newsmen at the gallery that the decision to set up the committee, which is not the norm, was collectively taken by the lawmakers during parliamentary meeting.

While the ad-hoc committee to screen the nominees is headed by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Wasiu Eshilokun-Sanni, other members include Deputy Majority Leader, Olumuyiwa Jimoh, Chief Whip, Rotimi Abiru, Deputy Chief Whip, Omotayo Oduntan, Minority Leader, Akeem Bello.

Others are Victor Akande, Lanre Ogunyemi, Rotimi Olowo, Yinka Ogundimu, Mohammed Folajimi, Bisi Yusuf, Oladele Adekanye, Ibrahim Layode, Segun Olulade, and Dayo Fafunmi.

Obasa said the committee would first screen the nominees before presenting its report to the House when it reconvenes on October 13.

The Speaker said the decision to first screen the nominees before they would face another screening by the general House was because the House rules permit the lawmakers to work at their convenience.

However, some lawmakers, who confided in Vanguard even before the sitting said the screening would not take place because the members had some grudges against the governor especially as it seemed the governor was dictating the pace at which they should work.

One of the lawmakers, who pleaded anonymity said the screening would be delayed to send a signal to the governor to stop giving the impression that the House is a rubber stamp.

When contacted, Olulade, who served the seventh Assembly as chairman of the Committee on Information and Publicity, said the screening committee was to ensure proper screening of the nominees.

He explained further that it would be tiring screening the 37 nominees on the floor of the House since it would get to a stage where members would simply begin to ask nominees to ‘take a bow and leave.’

Rowdy Session as Senate Resumes

83 Senators back  Saraki, Ekweremadu

•Mark, 48 PDP, 33 APC senators pass vote of confidence

•Senate pledges thorough screening of ministerial nominees

•Marafa goes gaga, removes babaringa, threatens to fight

•Senate problems influenced by people outside NASS— Saraki

•Tread softly on Saraki’s trial, Dogara cautions FG

ABUJA—EIGHTY- four senators, yesterday, passed a vote of confidence on the Senate President, Bukola Saraki; Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; and the entire leadership of the Senate.

The move, at least in the interim, ended speculations that Saraki was losing the support of his colleagues on account of the alleged false assets declaration suit he is facing at the Code of Conduct of Tribunal (CCT) and might be asked to step aside as Senate President.

Boosted by the confidence vote, a re-energized Senate leadership, yesterday, said it would protect the interest of Nigerians by ensuring thorough screening of President Muhammadu Buhari’s ministerial nominees. The list of the nominees will be presented to the senators today.

This came as Saraki insisted that his trial by the CCT was being influenced by people outside the National Assembly, who were not comfortable with his emergence as Senate President, adding that the ‘intruders’ are fighting a lost battle because they cannot effect their desired leadership in the Red Chamber as they are not National Assembly members.

Meanwhile, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has called for caution over the on-going trial of Saraki.

In his welcome address to members of the House of Representatives upon resumption from a six-week recess, he saluted Saraki for submitting himself to the jurisdiction of the CCT.

“The barometer of the polity has been on the rise of late because of certain developments concerning the arraignment of the President of the Senate. While commending the President of the Senate for submitting himself to the jurisdiction of the Code of Conduct Tribunal in the recognition that no person is above the law, I wish to caution that there is need for great circumspection in times such as this in order to maintain proper focus in pursuit of the common good,” he said.

Senate problems influenced by intruders—Saraki

In his welcome remarks to senators, Saraki, insisted that his travails in the hands of the anti-graft agency were the handiwork of those he referred to as “powerful individuals outside” the legislature.

“I wish to reiterate my remarks before the Tribunal, that I have no iota of doubt that I am on trial today because I am President of the Nigerian Senate, against the wishes of some powerful individuals outside this chambers. And to yield ground on this note, is to be complicit in the subversion of democracy and its core principles of separation of powers as enshrined in our constitution. This, in your wisdom, is what you have done by electing me to be the first among all of you who are my equals,” he told his colleagues.

He said the activities of the powerful individuals outside the legislature would not deter him. He vowed that he would always defend the independence of the legislature and invite his colleagues “to stand with me to defend this Senate and preserve its sanctity.”

Ministerial screening

“On this note, I want to urge you my colleagues to ensure that what is uppermost in our minds as we begin the constitutional task of screening the ministerial nominees is the overall interest of our country, informed by the enormity and the urgency of the challenges before us.

“Once the list is submitted, let us ensure that we treat it with dispatch and thoroughness. We must not be held down by unnecessary politicking. The enormity of our national challenges at this time does not give room for pettiness or politics of vendetta,” he charged senators.

The Senate President added: “This is an auspicious moment for us to rededicate ourselves to all that will advance our nation, move us closer to the dreams of our founding fathers and to attain our destiny as the greatest nation of the black race on the planet.

“All that we seek for our country is achievable in our lifetime if we all play our part and forsake our old ways. But the least we must do is to ensure that while we are here, we are able to lay the necessary foundation for our children and their children to live a more prosperous life.”

Saraki charged senators to sit up to their constitutional responsibilities, vowing that the Senate under his watch will exercise its functions without fear or favour.

“As we resume today, we must demonstrate clearly to Nigerians that we are prepared to fulfill our mandates and put Nigeria first in all that we do, no matter how we feel about anything else,” he said.

Addressing newsmen, after the plenary, Chairman, Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Media and Publicity, Dino Melaye, said the Senate was not distracted by actions of some powerful individuals outside the National Assembly.

He said some politicians with selfish ambitions were bent on destroying the institutions of the legislature, urging senators at yesterday’s plenary to resolve to remain united.

Melaye, who represents Kogi West Senatorial Zone, on the platform of the ruling APC, added that the vote of confidence re-affirmed by 84 of the 108 senators was a confirmation that the Saraki-led leadership of the Senate was firm.

He warned that the Senate would no longer tolerate any action capable of undermining its authority from some senators acting the script of people outside the chamber.

Senator Melaye said the Senate had resolved to do away with its usual tradition of bow-and-go, always being accorded some presidential nominees during screening exercises. He said the screening of ministerial nominees being awaited would be stringent and thorough.

“I wish to use this opportunity to say that the screening of ministers will not be business as usual,the era of bow and go is over,” he added.

Vote of Confidence

The vote was sequel to a motion by Senator David Umaru (APC, Niger East), who raised the point of order calling for a vote of confidence on the Senate leadership.

It was the second time in two months that Saraki was getting confidence vote. The motion was seconded by Senator Ahmed Sani Yerima (APC, Zamfara State) and co-sponsored by 81 other senators.

The vote of confidence, which was pursuant to Orders 42 and 52 of the Senate Standing Order 2015 was signed by 48 senators elected on the platform of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and 35 senators elected on the plank of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

Umaru said the Senate would not entertain unwarranted embarrassment that was being served on the senate leadership and would not succumb to cheap blackmail.

Moving the vote of confidence, Senator Umaru said: “Senate notes that the provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended guarantees the separation of powers and the independence of the legislative arm of government.

“Further notes that the legislative arm of Government remains the mainstay of democratic governance, liberty, freedom, fair hearing, checks and balances and above all the protection of human rights of the citizenry.

“Determined to focus on matters of national interest and importance to the ordinary people of Nigeria and other issues that will enhance their safety, livelihood, social and political well being.

“Further determined to continue to perform its constitutional duties and responsibilities in defence of democracy and the rule of law for the betterment and development of our nation, Nigeria.

“Notes with dismay, the attempt and continued interference in the internal affairs of the Senate by detractors and media propaganda against senators, the Senate and its leadership by selfish politicians.

“Considering the on-going unwarranted embarrassment and aspersions being cast on the senate and its leadership.

“Determined that the Senate shall not allow itself to be distracted, deterred or succumb to cheap blackmail in the course of carrying out its constitutional responsibilities by any individual or group of people under any pretence or guise for personal political interest.

“The senate, hereby, resolves to pass a vote of confidence on the President of the Senate, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki; the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and the entire Senate leadership as presently constituted.

“To call on innocent Nigerians, groups and political associations not to allow themselves to be used by any person or persons to harass, or blackmail the Senate, Senators and its leadership.”

Enraged Marafa protests

Soon after the vote of confidence, Senator Kabiru Marafa (APC, Zamfara Central) for over 20 minutes became uncontrollable as he made efforts to raise a point of order challenging the vote of confidence on the Senate President.

Marafa, in protest, said he was unfairly treated by Saraki, who he noted deliberately refused to identify him after having raised his hands several times to express his opinion on the matter, saying, “ I came under Point of Order before the Senate took the decision, but you refused me.”

But as Marafa continued to speak in anger against Saraki’s ruling, citing section 53(5) of the Standing Order which reads: “Reference shall not be made to any matter which a judicial decision is pending, in such a way as might in the opinion of the President of the Senate prejudice the interest of parties thereto.”

But Saraki insisted that Marafa should read 53(6) which reads: “It shall be out of order to attempt to reconsider any specific question upon which the Senate has come to a conclusion during the current session except upon a substantive motion for rescission.”

Out of order

As Marafa was still shouting, the Senate President ruled him out of order but this did not stop him as he raised his voice, lampooning the Senate and before long a rowdy session ensued.

Another APC Senator, Isah Hamman Misau (Bauchi Central), who was among the sponsors of the motion, quickly rose to caution Marafa against disobeying the ruling of the Senate President.

This intervention further provoked Marafa, who removed his babaringa (top clothe) and attempted to move towards Misau, threatening to deal with him.

The effort was halted by many senators who blocked and prevented him from reaching his target.

Marafa walks out

At the peak of his anger, Marafa walked out of the chamber, aided by senators who stopped him from attacking Misau.

At this point, Senators Olusola Adeyeye (APC, Osun Central), Gbenga Ashafa (APC, Lagos East) and Adeola Solomon Olamilekan (APC, Lagos West) took Marafa out of the chambers to Adeyeye’s office, just as Adeyeye cautioned him (Marafa) against talking to anyone when he saw (Journalists) following him and efforts to get the angered Marafa to talk proved abortive.

Ekweremadu begs for  Marafa

Marafa was later asked by his friends to return to the Senate floor before it rose and he did.

To save Marafa from being sanctioned, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who apologised to senators, the Senate leadership and Nigerians on behalf of Marafa, said that he should be forgiven for the embarrassment he caused the Senate.

Senator Ekweremadu, who warned that the Senate can invoke its Order like it did to suspend Senator Arthur Nzeribe, said:

”It is high time we put behind all the previous issues. We were elected through different channels of political associations but we are all Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I want to apologise to Nigerians on behalf of Marafa over his unruly behaviour, there is a provision for suspension of a senator. It was once used on Arthur Nzeribe but I commend the Senate President for his maturity on this.”

Those moving against me will  fail, says  Ekweremadu

Meantime, Ekweremadu said, yesterday, that those working against him will  fail. A statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Uche Anichukwu, read: “The Office of the Deputy President of the Senate wishes to bring to the knowledge of the public some clandestine efforts by desperate political elements to publish false and defamatory information against the Office and person of the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu.

“These elements are currently making desperate efforts, including scavenging through Senate accounts and Committees he has ever served on, with the sole aim of misrepresenting information, maligning, and running him out of office by hook or crook or force him to resign from office as the Deputy President of the Senate.”

In another development,  some protesters stormed the National Assembly Complex, calling on the Presidency not to victimise the Senate leadership.

The two groups – Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo Youth Movement and Coalition of Civil Society Media Executives (COCMEP)  bearing placards of various inscriptions, asked the Senate President, Saraki and his deputy, Ekweremadu not to resign.

In a statement signed by their  co-ordinator, Nnadi Uche , the group noted that it is an act of corruption to use the anti-corruption war for party politics and political benefits, adding, “ we condemn it in all its ramifications, but we will not sit down and allow anyone no matter how highly placed to derail the war.”

BREAKING: Nigerian Senators pass vote of confidence on embattled leader, Saraki

Nigerian senators on Tuesday passed a vote of confidence on the senate president, Bukola Saraki, seeking to shore up support for the embattled leader who is facing corruption charges.

Mr. Saraki was arraigned last week before the Code of Conduct Tribunal on a 13-count charge of alleged corruption and false declaration of assets.

He denied wrongdoing and said the trial was politically motivated.

The senate met Tuesday for the first time since Mr. Saraki appeared before the tribunal, and 83 senators co-sponsored a motion to give him a “vote of confidence”.

David Umar, Niger East, who read the motion, initially said it was sponsored by 84 Senators; nevertheless, the Chairman Senate Committee on Business and Rules, Babajide Omowarare, Osun East, asked that his name be removed from the list.

“Ordinarily by virtue of my position as the Chairman, Committee on Business and Rules, I should have seen this motion before now,” Mr. Omoworare said.

“But it comes as matter of urgent public importance. My name is listed as number eleven. Let me say that I don’t know how my name got into the list. I therefore say I am not part of it.”

Mr. Umar said the Nigerian Constitution guaranteed separation of powers.

He condemned the “ongoing unwarranted media embarrassment of the Senate and the Senate leadership”.

He urged Nigerians not allow themselves to be used to harass or intimidate the Senate leadership.

Supporting the motion, Sani Yerima, from Zamfara State, said “we shall continue to support our leaders”.

According to him, the lawmakers’ right to choose their leadership should be respected.

He added that “anybody outside this chamber who wants to control the Senate should go and sleep”.

Although the motion was passed with voice vote, Mr. Saraki was not left unchallenged as Kabir Marafa (Zamfara state), a staunch opponent of the embattled senate president, disrupted the session, asking that the motion be quashed.

He criticised the motion, arguing it should not be entertained in the first place as its subject was pending in court.

He engaged Mr. Saraki in a heated argument.

However, Gbenga Ashafa and Sola Adeyeye saved the legislative body from what was going to be a rancorous session.

They intervened and guided the irked Mr. Marafa out of the chamber.

Earlier, Mr. Saraki had said he was being tried because of his emergence as the Senate President, reiterating his position before the Code of Conduct Tribunal last week.