Melaye Slams 'Buhari's Comment' As Derogatory As Saraki Tackles Politicking By Customs Boss

0
365
RESUMES, SLAMS BUHARI, SARAKI TACKLES

Buhari had said, “Let anybody come and confront me publicly in the National Assembly. What have they been doing? Some of them have been there for 10 years. What have they been doing?” Melaye alleged that the President’s body language towards the National Assembly was the reason why the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, and heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies often refused to answer invitations by the lawmakers. He described Buhari’s comments as derogatory and unparliamentary, asking the President to apologise to the National Assembly. Melaye’s Words “As a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who came to the National Assembly in 2007 – about 11 years ago, I am particularly unhappy and my privilege was abused by President Muhammadu Buhari last week. “Last week, the President, in the Villa, addressed the delegation of the Buhari Campaign Organisation, and this was televised on Channels TV. The President said he didn’t know what we were doing in the National Assembly. He said that some of us had been in the National Assembly for over 10 years and we had nothing to show for it. “I felt that this statement is not only unpresidential but it is an assault on my person and the institution of the National Assembly where I am proudly a member. Such derogatory statements and insult on the National Assembly should not be allowed to go unnoticed.” “One then begins not to wonder why we summoned the IG and he refused to come. We are not surprised why directors-general of parastatals and heads of agencies will refuse to honour the summons of the National Assembly. The body language and the statement of the President are already demeaning the integrity of the National Assembly.” The lawmaker also faulted Ali for leading an electoral campaign for the President’s re-election in spite of being a public officer. He stressed that the Comptroller-General of the NCS is a rank and the occupant of the office should be in uniform. He said: “The Comptroller-General of the Customs is a rank, and the Customs Service is a paramilitary organisation, and if the Comptroller-General of the Customs will be leading the Buhari Campaign Organisation, it is an aberration and against his oath of office. “When he took his oath of office, the Constitution was very clear. We all swore that our personal interests will not conflict with our official responsibilities and duties. It is an aberration, it is unconstitutional, it is undemocratic for a paramilitary organisation headed by a Comptroller-General to lead a campaign organisation to the President, and they were welcome.” “We must, as a Senate, take a strong decision to protect our institutions. We are creating great men when we are supposed to be creating great institutions. The statement of the President and the reason for allowing these people to make this type of political affiliation despite their offices are reducing these institutions. And our responsibility as a Senate is to protect, build and preserve these institutions.” “I want to call that Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari, for using this unparliamentary and unconstitutional language on the National Assembly, should apologise to the National Assembly. That is where most of his appointees draw inspiration from and that is why they disregard the National Assembly and even refuse to accept summons. President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, ruled that the lawmakers would not allow political activities by public officials. He, however, said Buhari might have been misquoted. Saraki said, “The President might have been misquoted to say that. We should not rush to come to the conclusion. We all agree that this institution is an institution that we must all protect at any given time. “The agencies that continue to participate in politics as well, we must caution them because I believe that we are not helping the institutions. Those institutions know that they have a role to play and as such, they must not be seen to be doing things like that.” Add 0802 739 7554 To Receive SKYTREND NEWS Alerts On WhatsApp; For Adverts Enquiries, Whatsapp 0802 739 7554, Send Articles & News Stories To editor@skytrendnews.com. READ ALSO! Health Arena With Dr Adesina: Infertility – Causes, Effects And Treatment Options READ ALSO! 14-Year-Old Pregnant Housemaid Dislodges Her Childless Madam, Says I Can’t Share Husband With You READ ALSO! SHOCKING, ALARMING: Nigerian FRSC Official Engages Woman In Serious Physical Combat (VIDEO) READ ALSO! How I Stopped Obasanjo From Becoming Nigerian Version Of Mugabe — Atiku READ ALSO! I’m Happy Leaving My Husband, Nine Children For New Lover — Housewife After 23 Years Of Marriage READ ALSO! 15-year-old Groundnut Seller Took Her Torn Skirt To 58-Year-old Nigerian Tailor For Amendment: WHAT HAPPENED NEXT WILL SHOCK YOU! READ ALSO! Israeli Warplanes Strike Hamas Military Targets As Retaliation For Palestinian Rocket Fire READ ALSO! The Smart CEO: Top 5 Websites To Get Cheap Domain Name Registration READ ALSO! First Bank’s Appalling Customer Service And Utter Disregard For Its Customers READ ALSO! Between GoDaddy And Namecheap: Making The Best Choice For Domain Name Registrar READ ALSO! Nigerian Filmmaker, Zuriel Oduwole Makes Forbes List Of 100 Most Influential African Women READ ALSO! Woman Marries Her Son After Getting Pregnant For Him READ ALSO! This Pretty 21-year-old Lady, Tawa Oshunuga Committed Suicide After Her Lover Of 4 Years Dumped Her]]>