As eighty three senators, yesterday, passed a vote of confidence on the Senate President, Bukola Saraki; Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; and the entire leadership of the Senate.
Soon after the vote of confidence, Senator Kabiru Marafa (APC, Zamfara Central) for over 20 minutes became uncontrollable as he made efforts to raise a point of order challenging the vote of confidence on the Senate President.
Marafa, in protest, said he was unfairly treated by Saraki, who he noted deliberately refused to identify him after having raised his hands several times to express his opinion on the matter, saying, “ I came under Point of Order before the Senate took the decision, but you refused me.”
But as Marafa continued to speak in anger against Saraki’s ruling, citing section 53(5) of the Standing Order which reads: “Reference shall not be made to any matter which a judicial decision is pending, in such a way as might in the opinion of the President of the Senate prejudice the interest of parties thereto.”
But Saraki insisted that Marafa should read 53(6) which reads: “It shall be out of order to attempt to reconsider any specific question upon which the Senate has come to a conclusion during the current session except upon a substantive motion for rescission.”
Vanguard accounts reveals that As Marafa was still shouting, the Senate President ruled him out of order but this did not stop him as he raised his voice, lampooning the Senate and before long a rowdy session ensued.
Another APC Senator, Isah Hamman Misau (Bauchi Central), who was among the sponsors of the motion, quickly rose to caution Marafa against disobeying the ruling of the Senate President.
This intervention further provoked Marafa, who removed his babaringa (top clothe) and attempted to move towards Misau, threatening to deal with him.
The effort was halted by many senators who blocked and prevented him from reaching his target.
At the peak of his anger, Marafa walked out of the chamber, aided by senators who stopped him from attacking Misau.
At this point, Senators Olusola Adeyeye (APC, Osun Central), Gbenga Ashafa (APC, Lagos East) and Adeola Solomon Olamilekan (APC, Lagos West) took Marafa out of the chambers to Adeyeye’s office, just as Adeyeye cautioned him (Marafa) against talking to anyone when he saw (Journalists) following him and efforts to get the angered Marafa to talk proved abortive.
Ekweremadu then begs for Marafa who was later asked by his friends to return to the Senate floor before it rose and he did.
To save Marafa from being sanctioned, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who apologised to senators, the Senate leadership and Nigerians on behalf of Marafa, said that he should be forgiven for the embarrassment he caused the Senate.
