SARAKI REACTS TO SENATE MACE THEFT SAGA
SARAKI REACTS TO SENATE MACE THEFT
SAGA
Senate
President Bukola Saraki
The
Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has commended his colleagues for standing in
defence of democracy and the rule of law by resisting the invasion of the
Senate chamber by hoodlums suspected to be working for suspended senator, Ovie
Omo-Agege.
Mr Saraki in a statement by his
media aide, Yusuph Olaniyonu, praised his colleagues for their decision to defy
the incident to continue with the order of the day.
Mr Saraki is currently in
Washington where he is attending the spring meeting of the World
Bank/International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The Senate President lauded the swift reaction by the
leadership and members of the House of Representatives in demonstrating their
solidarity.
He added that this will send a
strong signal “that enemies of democracy and those who want to undermine the
legislature will be resisted by all parliamentarians.”
“I have just been informed that
some hoodlums invaded the Senate chambers, forcefully taken away the mace and
assaulted some of our Sergeant-at-arms on chamber duties. I am delighted that
the Senate stood up to them by disregarding their unreasonable and shameful
action and went on with the day’s proceedings as slated in the Order Paper.
“My commendation goes to my
deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, other members of the leadership, my colleagues,
the leadership and members of the House of Representatives for standing in
defence of democracy, parliamentary sanctity and constitutionalism.
“With the way the Senate has
defied those seeking to undermine it, we have sent out a strong signal that we
are always ready to defend our constitutional mandate and nothing will deter us
from this.
“I associate myself with the
comments of the Deputy Senate President that we are ready to get to the roots
of this assault on democracy and ensure that those who are responsible, no
matter how remote, will be brought to justice,” Mr Saraki was quoted as saying
in the statement.
