Posted By: Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja
Moves by the leadership of the Senate to suspend Zamfara senator, Kabiru Marafa, may generate intense heat as the upper legislative chamber reconvenes on Tuesday.

Pique by what it described as Marafa’s disparaging press interviews in recent times, the Senate leadership last week, mooted the idea to suspend the lawmaker for a period of time.

But in a reaction on Sunday, Marafa said rather than suspending him, it is the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki that should be suspended.

At a press briefing in Abuja, Marafa said nobody in the Senate can suspend him, saying there was no offensive remarks in the said interviews he granted the press.

He said, “Nobody, I repeat, nobody in that Senate, can suspend me over those remarks I made in the said interviews. Rather, it is the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, that should be suspended by the Senate for turning things up side down within the last eight months from forgery of Standing Orders to illegally increasing the number of standing committees in the senate from 57 to 65 with attendant violation of ranking rules in their compositions.

“And above all, refusing to resign as Senate President in the face of his trial for corruption charges at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) and invariably battering the image of the Senate.

“Saraki should remember that when the issue first came up in August or September last year, but we didn’t tell him to resign. So he cannot by whatever means now, gag us and gag our mouths

“The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria gives us the right to say our opinions, to air our views and nobody can deny us that.”

The senator linked the controversy generated by the alleged missing 2016 Budget to machinations by “fifth columnists” operating on behalf of the Senate President.

He continued, “These fifth columnists were shouting at different times that the budget was missing, the budget had been doctored, the budget was padded and that it could no longer be passed as earlier planned.

“Honestly speaking if am to comment on the controversy that has been trailing the 2016 budget in the Senate, I will say it is all the work of the fifth columnists there.

“You remember we woke up after 15 days or so of the receipt of the budget in the National Assembly. We woke up one day and the Senate President just came and said there was no budget, that the budget was stolen, thus embarrassing everybody. But the following day, the Speaker came out to say the budget was not stolen.

“Next, they said the budget was doctored, next they said the budget was padded, next they said there were discrepancies all over the place.

“We knew how they came into the leadership of the National Assembly or the Senate. Was it a coincidence that the issue of padding and everything just came up after the Supreme Court told Saraki to go and face your trial?”
http://thenationonlineng.net/suspend-saraki-not-me-marafa/

Ok.

Lets see how long Saraki will last.

This Is Change!!

What moral authority does Saraki rely on as a Senate President? He has to resign and face his criminal charge.




As for the budget, it is a complete joke!

8th Senate is a Joke!!!!

I'm here

True said. The shameful hullabaloo surrounding the budget is obviously the handiwork of Saraki and his cronies.

Saraki can never win any form of public sympathy nor gain any credibility no matter what desperate measures he take to discredit and blackmail this government.
A thief is a thief. Even GEJ knows that.

this man is one of the thorns in saraki's flesh, their two are just like cat and rat.

Saraki must not resign, until the court gives judgement.

EdCure:
True said. The shameful hullabaloo surrounding the budget is obviously the handiwork of Saraki and his cronies.

Saraki can never win any form of public sympathy nor gain any credibility no matter what desperate measures he take to discredit and blackmail this government.
A thief is a thief. Even GEJ knows that.

So it was saraki that budgeted more money for aso rock clinic than the whole teaching hospital added together
It was also saraki that budgeted for aso rock rent
It was also saraki that sent the rats that changed minstry of health budget

Face it that budget is a disgrace

Did saraki also has a hand in all the ministers,even lie mohammed tht denied figures in heir various ministries in the said budget..
i think marafa should be suspended so tht it will sound as a warning to others tht doesnt have respect for a constituted authourity

Ezenwammadu:
So it was saraki that budgeted more money for aso rock clinic than the whole teaching hospital added together
It was also saraki that budgeted for aso rock rent It was also saraki that sent the rats that changed minstry of health budget
Face it that budget is a disgrace

You know next to nothing about strategy and power play.

Most of those heads of parastatals that prepared the budget were highly compromised moles from PDP. They can go at any length to do things that will create public disaffection and disrepute to this administration.
Saraki is safeguarding their interests, and vice-versa.

Buhari deserves what he gets, though, because so far he doesn't seem to be smart and proactive enough. He's being too complacent.
He may continue to be schooled by "small boys" all the time. But I doubt if he will ever learn - either due to his age, or because he listens to the wrong people when it matters most.

I won't be surprised if Saraki (and his reprobate backers) eventually comes out the winner at the end.

The earlier u ppl accept the fact tht bukola saraki remains the senate president of the federal republic of nigeria atm,the better for you all so tht u dont have heart attack over a spilt milk,,,
do u have any evidence tht saraki doctored or padded the budget,,if u do then icpc is there for u to table ur complain & stop ranting on NL

EdCure:

You know next to nothing about strategy and power play.

Most of those heads of parastatals that prepared the budget were highly compromised moles from PDP. They can go at any length to do things that will create public disaffection and disrepute to this administration.
Saraki is safeguarding their interests, and vice-versa.

Buhari deserves what he gets, though, cos he doesn't seem to be smart enough and proactive so far.

Thats your usual response......deflect all the blames from bubu incomptence to others but bubu

But didn't bubu or any of his numerous advisers at least skim through the budget before presenting it with much fanfare

Why didn't the old man spot the mistake when he stole the budget and replace it with a 'corrected` version

Saraki ouster is a done deal no doubt. Marafa raised some valid points there only a corrupt-minded soul will take sides with Saraki.

Achuwa1:
The earlier u ppl accept the fact tht bukola saraki remains the senate president of the federal republic of nigeria atm,the better for you all so tht u dont have heart attack over a spilt milk,,,
do u have any evidence tht saraki doctored or padded the budget,,if u do then icpc is there for u to table ur complain & stop ranting on NL

I am sorry you seems not to know the antecedents of Bukola Saraki.....perhaps you can contact Fire fire (a fellow forumite) for more education.

jahsharon:
Lets see how long Saraki will last.

Last? March 10 the dude is forgotten in the dustbin of history as a once-upon-a-time Senate President.

hmm

Ok we will

Apc sha, still playing the role of opposition to themselves.

Y'all going down

OK sir. Just relax.

Local Champion wrote about local champions well done!
Regardless, the budget is a disgrace to modern governance, the Senate is chopping our money while these old cargos, keep the citizens busy with media wars and stories that touch the heart.
Wise up my people!

EdCure:
True said. The shameful hullabaloo surrounding the budget is obviously the handiwork of Saraki and his cronies.

Saraki can never win any form of public sympathy nor gain any credibility no matter what desperate measures he take to discredit and blackmail this government.
A thief is a thief. Even GEJ knows that.

is he d 1 dat drafted d budget? Or hw cum d mistakes become his handwork?

ok

Saraki should just resign

[s]

EdCure:
True said. The shameful hullabaloo surrounding the budget is obviously the handiwork of Saraki and his cronies.

Saraki can never win any form of public sympathy nor gain any credibility no matter what desperate measures he take to discredit and blackmail this government.
A thief is a thief. Even GEJ knows that.

[/s]

Thrash boy. I really pity the zombies that will give you likes.

Pele Saraki








ThefakeStan

Sarakisgate, u better resign honourably and maintain ur respect.

Marafa and Gbenga Ashafa; the men after my heart since the 7th senate

My friend will you shut up! Political He-Goat