SGF in more trouble with Senate over remarks against call for his removal

The Nigerian Senate is fuming over what it feels is an insulting response from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Babachir Lawal, over its call for his sack and subsequent trial.

The Senate President Bukola Saraki, has also told President Muhammadu Buhari that the world is watching him to see how he would handle the call for the sack of the SGF for his alleged involvement in corrupt practices.

The Senate had on Wednesday unanimously resolved that Lawal be sacked and prosecuted for allegedly contravening the provisions of the Public Procurement Act, 2007, and the Federal Government Financial Rules and Regulations on the award of contracts under the Presidential Initiative on North-East.

But in his reaction, SGF Lawal reportedly described Senate’s decision as an effort to rubbish his person and a purposeful attempt to pull him down.

Saraki who fumed at the reaction by the SGF, said Buhari’s ongoing war against corruption in the country must not be limited to certain individuals if corruption in the country must be taken seriously.

Saraki said it was difficult to think that an appointee of the President would use derogatory words against the Senate at a time his principal was seeking the support of the legislature in the interest of national development.

“The President came here yesterday humbly telling us that he seeks our partnership. Then how can his Secretary said we are talking rubbish.

“The issue here is very serious because it borders on the integrity of this institution. Matters as serious as this should never be personalised.

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“Yesterday, when we heard the president, the number one citizen of this country humbly telling us he is seeking cooperation of the National Assembly, and how can his Secretary tell us we are talking rubbish.

“The two conversations are not on the same page. We must protect this institution and it is not the kind of language and it is out of order if somebody has been accused of something, the way we should respond, and for him to say we are speaking rubbish, I think he is personslising the issues,” Saraki said.

Reacting to the SGF’s alleged outburst, the Senate, during the day’s plenary, described as unbecoming of a public officer of the SGF’s status, who according to the upper legislative chamber, has been notorious for such outbursts in public.

The Senate consequently ordered its Committee on Ethics and Public Petitions to look into the alleged derogatory comments against the institution of the Senate credited to the embattled SGF Lawal.

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