Senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye, has described former Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume as ‘ a Boko Haram suspect.’
Melaye made the allegation on the floor of the senate yesterday while reacting to Ndume’s call that the Upper Legislative Chambers investigate the claims that he did not graduate from Amadu Bello University, ABU, Zaria.
The Kogi lawmaker is currently facing a certificate scandal, after it was reported that he did not graduate from ABU as claimed.
Against this backdrop, Ndume raised a point of order, asking the Senate to probe the allegation that Melaye did not graduate from ABU, making reference to newspapers’ publication including that of DAILY POST.
But in response, Melaye insisted that not only did he graduate from ABU, he also has a degree from Harvard.
Ndume had said, “During the 4th Assembly, Salisu Buhari was accused of certificate forgery; he was investigated and determined. After that, in the 5th Assembly, Bello Masari was accused of certificate forgery (secondary school); it was investigated and was cleared. In the 6th Senate, Dimeji Bankole was accused of not having NYSC certificate; it was investigated and he had to show his NYSC certificate.
“Now, that brings me to the second matter. In the National Assembly, here in the Senate of the 4th Assembly, Enwerem was accused and it was also investigated. Wabara was accused of collecting bribe and it was investigated and determined. So, a lot of precedences have been set. Now, the second matter of privilege affects my colleague, Sheikh Dino Melaye, and it is in the Punch of today (Tuesday) on Page 10; I have the newspaper. In Punch, it says, ‘Dino Melaye in first-degree certificate scandal.’”
Responding to Ndume’s claim, Melaye said, “I and here to respond to the issue raised by the Boko Haram suspect (and) senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Ali Ndume. I want to say, to me, it is a welcome development.
“Democracy is about investigation and no senator is above investigation. To me, it is a welcome development and it will finally clear the air on all the malicious and vindictive allegations.
“To say that I did not graduate from ABU is to say that I am not a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. ABU is a very prestigious university in this country and it is not possible for one to be running a master’s programme in the university when one did not graduate from a university. I have successfully completed one and I am doing the second one.
“I want to announce that this is the eighth degree that I am pursuing. I am also a graduate of University of Abuja, where I did Masters in Policy Analysis. I am a graduate of London School of Economics and Political Science. I am also a graduate of Harvard University. The course I am pursuing now will make it my eighth degree.”
“Definitely, in the interest of justice, I will excuse myself from the consideration of this matter except when invited for questioning.
“I have my admission letters, results, certificate of discharge from ABU. Not only that, I was the Student Union Government President of ABU. On three occasions, I was the most popular student on campus.he added.
