Skip to main content

Protesters Demand Saraki’s Resignation As They Besiege National Assembly

February 23, 2016

On Tuesday, a group under the aegis of the Opened Society and Good Governance Initiative stormed the National Assembly calling for the immediate resignation of the embattled Senate President Bukola Saraki to allow him to face his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) saying he is unfit to preside over the Nigerian Senate.

On Tuesday, a group under the aegis of the Opened Society and Good Governance Initiative stormed the National Assembly calling for the immediate resignation of the embattled Senate President Bukola Saraki to allow him to face his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) saying he is unfit to preside over the Nigerian Senate.

[slideshow]45334[/slideshow]

The placard-carrying protesters also called on the Senate not to gag Senator Kabiru Marafa over his comment on the legislative body’s action on 2016 budget controversies.  

They described the move by the upper chamber to suspend Mr. Marafa as political repression and a witch-hunt. They maintained that it is Mr. Saraki is liable for suspension but not Mr. Marafa. 
Some of the placards read: “Suspend Saraki, not Marafa,” “Saraki leave the Senate and face the CCT now,” and “No to the planned suspension of Senator Kabiru Marafa.” 

According to the group, Mr. Saraki has no moral justification to still be in the Senate due to the allegations arrayed against him.

The group believes the Senate President should first clear his name before he returns to his capacity as superintendent of the Senate. His refusal to do this is an indictment of the National Assembly.

The protesters vowed to continue with their sit out until the Senate President tendered his resignation.
Security operatives at the main gate of the National Assembly prevented them from gaining entry into the premises.

It will be recalled that the Senate last week condemned and took a decision to discipline Senator Marafa over an interview he granted to newspapers where he was alleged to have made the denigrating and disparaging comment about the reputation of the Senate.