As security operatives in the National Assembly had a hectic day dissuading anti-Saraki protesters ‘Occupy National Assembly’ who stormed the complex in their numbers on Tuesday, the Senate Leader, Ali Ndume has condemned the demonstration, stressing that it is dangerous to Nigeria’s fragile democracy.
Ndume noted those protesting do not understand the dynamics of democracy which allows choice of leadership among contemporaries in a particular setting.
Meanwhile, it was a beehive of protests at the National Assembly gate since 8:30am on Tuesday as a pro-Saraki group, which identified itself as Nigeria United for Progressives Change, called on the APC leadership to intervene in the trial of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT.
The group’s Chairman, Adodo Solomon expressed anger at the manner which the Senate President’s prosecution was hampering the smooth operations of the Senate under Saraki, noting that it was a political persecution that must not be allowed.
“Gentlemen we are here to protest because Saraki’s prosecution was hampering the smooth operations of the Senate and Nigerians should not allowed this to continue”, he opined.
Meanwhile, what dominated the demands of the anti-Saraki protesters was his resignation and the 2016 budget impasse even as they made entry into the crowd midway into pro -araki’s protest, thereby causing a total lock down of the Assembly’s main entrance.
The leader of anti-Saraki protesters, who expressed the determination of his group, to occupy the National Assembly for four days from Tuesday urged the Senate President to resign in the interest of the nation, noting that from evidences available in the course of his prosecution, he has been indicted and could not continue in office.
He added that his prosecution in the tribunal was a serious distraction to his ability to handle legislative activities effectively, hence it has adverse effect on the budget that continues to generate controversies.
“The Senate President should consider the interest of Nigerians and resigned because his trial at the CCT was distracting him from handling legislative activities thereby causing endless controversies of the budget”, the group alleged.
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