TENSION!!! Senate to Buhari: SGF, Babachir Lawal Must go!
THE Senate on Thursday stuck to his guns on the call for the resignation and prosecution of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Babachir Lawal over his indictment by the special committee that investigated the fund released for Internally Displaces Persons (IDPs) in the North East. The lawmakers expressed disappointment over SGF’s response to allegations against him.
The matter was raised again on the floor of the Senate by Senator Dino Melaye representing Kogi West.
Melaye who came through order 42 of the Senate Standing Rules presented a newspaper publication of the SGF response and tendered other documents linking the SGF to the company indicted in the Senate report.
“Every document that (is) fake, must have original. I challenge the SGF to bring the original of these documents,” Melaye said.
In his contribution, the Senate Deputy Majority Leader Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah said the SGF’s reply shows that he lacks the capacity to occupied the position of SGF.
Senator Chukwuka Utazi called on President Muhammadu Buhari to review the way the Babachir became the SGF of the country.
In his reaction, the Senate President Bukola Saraki said the issue is very serious as it borders on the integrity of the Senate. He added that the position of President Muhammadu Buhari is very clear Wednesday when he stated that he is seeking peaceful relationship with the legislators.
“We would not allow anybody to intimidate us in doing our work. The committee will finish their work and we will communicate our resolution to the President” Saraki said.
Record of official proceedings from the Senate noted that Senator Dino Melaye raised a motion over a publication by The Nation Newspaper and BBC Hausa on the infraction on the privilege of the Senate.
The title of the Publication: “Senate Seeks SGF Sack” .. is all that balderdash”, BBC Interview: “The Senators are talking rubbish”
Melaye wondered why “A mere appointee of the President says that we are liars” and tenders more evidence acquired from the Corporate Affairs Commission against SGF, Babachir Lawal
“If the SGF says the document presented by the CAC is fake, he should produce the original,” says Sen. Dino Melaye.
“It is largely shown that the SGF does not have the necessary capacity to occupy the post” Sen. Ibn Na’Allah said.
“This position is a responsible position but if we have an irresponsible person there, it becomes a problem,” Sen. Chukwuka Utazi.
Saraki, according to official record of the day’s proceedings said, “The issue we have here is very serious because it borders on the integrity of the Senate, the President was here yesterday and said with all humility that he is seeking cooperation with the National Assembly, the SGF’s statement contradicts this. We will communicate with the President with necessary document and let’s see what the Executive will do. We leave that to the Executive to do what has to be done, we have done our part and I commend you all for your effort.”
