Ahmed Makarfi, former National Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has faulted those demanding that Bukola Saraki resigns as Senate President, following his defection from the All Progressives Congress, APC.
The former Kaduna State governor said it was unconstitutional and unlawful to ask Saraki to resign from his position.
Makarfi spoke during his visit to the PDP Secretariat in Minna, Niger State, on Saturday.
He urged those calling for Saraki’s resignation to leave him alone as Senate President irrespective of the party he belongs to.
He maintained that Saraki, his deputy Senator Ike Ekweremadu, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara were elected based on the provisions of the constitution and not based on party.
He challenged those making such demands to read the constitution and leave them alone to carry out their duties in a well-dignified manner.
“The position of the presiding officers of the National Assembly, based on the constitution of Nigeria is an election of one among equals based on voting irrespective of party affiliation. The constitution said that the Senators are to elect among themselves, it did not say that it must be from a majority party.
“Positions tied to party affiliation are the positions like the majority and minority leaders and Chief Whips along with their deputies. Therefore Senator Bukola Saraki, Ike Ekweremadu, and Dogara should be left alone because they are elected based on the provision of the constitution and their continued stay irrespective of the party they belong to is constitutional, it is lawful and it is democratic,” he said.
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