The leadership crisis in the Senate yesterday assumed a new
dimension as the Upper Legislative Chamber directed its Committee on Ethics,
Privileges and Public Petitions, to investigate Senator Kabir Marafa over an
alleged false publication in a national daily.
The result of the probe
may lead to his suspension. Some Senators are calling for reining in Marafa for
allegedly embarrassing the Upper Chamber with his press interview.
Relying on a Point of
Order, Senator Isah Misau said the said the report published on February 7,
2016 and credited to Senator Marafa was misleading and has brought the Senate
to disrepute.
He said it was
unfortunate that at a time when the Senate was working hard to pass the budget
in good time, one of them was misleading the generality of Nigerians with
falsehood.
Misau said it took him
about 11 years to get to the Senate and as such, could not overlook the
situation where his integrity and the Senate’s are being rubbished by another
senator.
“Senator Kabir Marafa
granted an interview misleading the public telling lies against this
institution, the Senate. I think I have received more than 500 calls from my
constituency in respect of this publication.
“I will not allow
somebody who enjoyed the seventh Senate to come and not allow us to do our work
properly here. Mr President, I think the leadership has to do something about
this, we cannot allow one person to continue to tell lies against the Senate
misleading the public.
“I think it is better
we take a decision so that we correct things not only Marafa, anybody that is
here would not be allowed to be misleading the public,” he said.
Also contributing,
Senator Matthew Urhoghide (PDP, Edo South), said it was disheartening that a
lawmaker would continually bring the entire Senate to disrepute.
“I want to say with
every element of responsibility that publication smears the integrity of this
house. The leadership of this house that I have so much respect for, has been
brought to total disrepute,” he said.
The Senate thereafter
referred the motion to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions
chaired by Sen. Sam Anyanwu (PDP Imo) to report back in one week.
Meanwhile, Senator
Marafa has reacted to the alleged plot to suspend him. He told Daily
Sun, that he was ready to face the committee and tell the whole world what
he knows about the goings on in the Senate.
Marafa said: “Do they
have any rules in the Senate? How many times did I raise Points of Order to
call their attention to the violation of Senate Orders? I will gladly honour
the invitation of the committee.”
I have been waiting for
the opportunity to appear before them. I am waiting for them. Let them expedite
action on it. I am calling on all Nigerians to come and witness the mother of
all trials.”
-Sun News
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