Kabiru Marafa, a leader of the unity forum, a caucus of All Progressives Congress, APC Senators in the National assembly has been slammed by Senator Dino Melaye for calling for Senate President Saraki’s Resignation according to PREMIUM TIMES.
Senator Marafa in a telephone interview with the online platform had asked senator Marafa to resign while he faces his corruption trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT.
Marafa observed that the issue has reached “a critical stage” where Mr. Saraki’s corruption trial had questioned the Senate’s credibility and Nigeria’s pride.
“By reason of omission or commission, Saraki has pushed himself to a position of disadvantage. By moving from one court to the other up to the Supreme and got himself knocked out, what it portrays is that the Senate under Senator Saraki is fast losing credibility.
“The most honourable thing for Saraki is to resign and face his prosecution. If he wins, the seat is always there and he can be re-elected again if those that supported him truly believe he is the best person for the position. And if not, he will remain a senator like he was in the 7th Assembly. Is it a must that he become Senate President?”
The caucus, which Mr. Marafa has emerged as its most outspoken member, also includes Suleiman Hunkunyi and Ahmed Lawan ,who was favoured by the party to become the Senate President.
Mr. Marafa’s statement, Saturday night, follows the Supreme Court ruling that upheld the trial of Mr. Saraki at the Code of Conduct Tribunal CCT.
The apex court on Friday dismissed Mr. Saraki’s appeal against the competence and constitution of the CCT to try him for a 13-count charge of false asset declaration.
Mr. Saraki, who was being tried at the CCT by the federal government, had asked to Supreme Court to halt the trial but the apex court rejected the senate President’s appeal.
In his reaction, Dino Melaye (APC-Kogi State), who speaks for Like Minds caucus, attacked Mr. Marafa and said there was no case for resignation.
“Marafa is a clown and perhaps lives on cheap drugs,” he said.
“The case at the CCT is not about Saraki; rather, it’s about the Senate. And we will not fold our arms to mess up with the Senate.
“The Senate is stable and Saraki has the support of most of the Senators.”
