The Deputy Leader of the Senate, Ibn Na’Allah on Friday says the senate shut down its activities on Thursday so as to show solidarity to its Senate President, Bukola Saraki who is facing persecution instead of prosecution.
DAILY POST recalls that the suspension of plenary by the senate over Saraki’s assets declaration trial was the third time the senators shunned sitting over the matter.
Na’Allah, disclosed this during an interview with newmen in Abuja yesterday.
The Deputy senate leader noted that majority of the senators believe that the Saraki’s trial by the Code of Conduct Tribunal is in no way a prosecution.
He said, “You see, it is a matter of belief and I am going to tell you in very clear language.
“The belief of the 8th Senate and substantial number of the senators is that the trial of the President of the Senate is persecution rather than prosecution.
“If it is persecution, we believe that we have a responsibility to stand by him.
“But if it is prosecution, every senator of the federal republic believes and rightly so, that this government must be given all the necessary assistance it requires to fight corruption,’’ he said.
According to Na’Allah, the trial of the senate president for alleged offences he committed 13 years ago was more of a political move than a legal or anti-corruption matter.
Na’Allah observed that the senators feel that Saraki is on political trial.
“Let me be honest with you; from the little that I know, the senate sees the trial as more of a political trial than a trial intended specifically for the purpose for which it should be done.
“It may be wrong, it may be right, but the circumstances of the trial and for the reason that the subject matter of the trial occurred about 12 or 13 years ago, you cannot fault the senators if they come to that conclusion.
“I am not so sure that you can say that the substantial number of people who believe that this trial is wrong can, at the same time, be said to be wrong.
“We keep on hoping that those who want to assist this government honestly and sincerely will see the wisdom in portraying this government in the best tradition of democratic society,” he said.
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