Ali Ndume Suspended from The Senate

The Senate on Wednesday suspended Senator Ali Ndume for six months for raising false allegations against the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and Dino Melaye through order 14 and 15 at plenary last week.

The suspension follows report of Senator Samuel Anyanwu-led committee on Public Petitions, Ethics and Privileges which recommended for his suspension for one legislative year.

Ndume who was immediate past Senate Leader had called for the probe of his colleagues after a publication in national dailies reported that “the Senate President, Bukola Saraki bought SUV bullet proof Jeep worth N370 million without paying it’s Custom duties.”

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The motion he raised also called for the investigation of Senator Dino Melaye representing Kogi East Senatorial district who allegedly did not graduate from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria as claimed by an online newspaper.

The plenary presided by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu as Saraki had to step down since he was involved for fairness discussed extensively and having weighed options resolved that Ndume be suspended.

However, the committee in its report exonerated the Senate President and Dino Melaye, pointedly concluded that suspension of Ndume was appropriate to serve as deterrent to others.

SHOCKER: Saraki, Ekweremadu In Fresh N1b Monthly Cost Scandal As Senate Crisis WORSENS, Ndume Talks Tough

The senate leadership, specifically the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu have both been accused of at least N1 billion monthly shady operational cost each as the crisis rocking the upper legislative arm getting messy day-in and out, News Punch learned

The Sun Newspaper reported that the crisis currently rocking the Senate may be far from over, as the three key actors involved, namely, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki; Dino Melaye from Kogi State and the immediate-past Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, have returned to the trenches.

The crisis, which began late last year when the Senate rejected a $29.9 billion loan request sent to it by President Muhammadu Buhari, may eventually lead to the suspension of Ndume, who is not ready to throw in the towel yet, despite the gathering storm against him.

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Ndume had soon after the Senate rejected President Buhari’s loan request protested against the resolution. He was said to have visited the Presidential Villa where he held series of meetings with top government officials on how to prevail on the Senate to rescind its decision on the budget issue. Ndume’s move, it was learnt, angered Saraki and his loyalists, who were understood to be uncomfortable with that. Ndume was reportedly warned but did not take heed.

The last straw that broke the camel’s back was the first rejection of Ibrahim Magu, the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by the Senate.

A day after the Senate took the decision, Ndume told State House correspondents that the Senate was yet to take a position on Magu. While the controversy lasted, he reportedly made efforts to woo lawmakers loyal to Saraki to support his new move. But upon resumption from the Christmas break, Saraki’s loyalists led by Melaye, gathered signatures from All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus members in the Senate against Ndume. He was eventually removed as Leader and was succeeded by Ahmad Lawan.

Since his removal as Senate Leader, Ndume has been fighting to take his pound of flesh, particularly from Saraki, who is believed to have covertly sanctioned his removal and Melaye who executed the deal.

It was gathered according to The Sun Newspaper that Ndume, who hails from Borno State and is currently facing trial over his alleged links with the dreaded Boko Haram, is making overtures to elements within the Presidency, who are perceived to be unrepentant enemies of Saraki. It was learnt that even though he appears to have lost support from his former ‘lieutenants’ in the Senate, he is threatening to spill the beans on what he knew while his relationship with Saraki lasted.

For instance, it was reliably gathered that Ndume is planning to mount pressure on the leadership of the Senate and the National Assembly, where Saraki holds sway as chairman, to release details of the budget of the legislature, which has been a bone of contention for years. There were claims in some quarters recently that the Offices of the Senate President and Deputy Senate President spend at least N1 billion monthly on operational cost.

In February, Ndume openly condemned the secrecy associated with the budget of the Senate. He noted that lawmakers were not privy to the contents of Senate budget and called on Saraki, who doubles as chairman of the National Assembly, to make it public.

Ndume had said: “We are here to pass the budget without seeing the details. This is a government of change and this must change. The details of the budget report should be considered holistically. Last year, we had several issues with the budget. In fact, to some extent, it was very embarrassing.

“Some of us do not know what was/is in the budget because the details of the budget have never been provided and this should be done this year. Senators do not know the budget of the Senate.

It should be known this year and this is very important because we cannot be taking blames or hold credit for what we do not know.”

Last week, Ndume made another daring move when he instigated the Senate to probe Saraki over the purchase of a Range Rover Sport vehicle, which was seized by Customs officers, and Melaye over certificate forgery saga.

Saraki, who is believed to have finally secured the friendship of President Buhari, is not leaving anything to chance. Sunday Sun reliably learnt that efforts are in top gear to instigate a suspension move against Ndume.

Melaye, who is also having a running battle with Ndume, is believed to be spearheading the suspension move.

In the coming days or weeks, one of Saraki’s loyalists is expected to move a motion on the floor of the Senate and call for Ndume’s probe over allegations that he has been disparaging the Upper Legislative Chamber.

The issue will be referred to the Senate committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions and a hurried report would expectedly be submitted, which would be used to nail Ndume and possibly suspend him for at least six months.

Sunday Sun also learnt that another motion may be sponsored by another Senator to urge the Senate to probe links of some lawmakers to Boko Haram.

The prime target, it was gathered, is Ndume who is currently facing trial over the same issue. There are fears, however, that Ndume may be standing alone as members of North-east caucus have switched camp and are currently supporting Lawan, who hails from the same geopolitical zone.

Spokesman of the Senate, Senator Abdullahi Sabi, could not be reached on how the Senate intends to resolve the lingering crisis. Series of calls to his mobile phone number were not answered.

Similarly, the Senate Leader, Senator Lawan declined to see the Sunday Sun correspondent when he made frantic efforts to get his reaction on how the Senate leadership intends to solve the tussle in the Red Chamber.

Source: The Sun Newspaper

Magu: Fresh Crisis Brews In Senate As Saraki's Men Plots Ndume's Sack

The name of the erstwhile leader of the Senate, Ali Ndume, has reportedly been penciled down for suspension from the National Assembly by senators loyal to Senate President, Bukola Saraki, over what they have described as ‘unparliamentary’ utterances made by the Borno-born lawmaker.

Ndume incurred the wrath of Saraki and his loyalists, when he protested the rejection of the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, by the Senate.

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Ndume had said Saraki erred by accepting a new report not signed by the Director-General of Department of State Services (DSS), Lawal Daura.

Referring to a similar letter written to the Senate President by an Assistant Comptroller General of Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) on behalf of Col. Hameed Ali, Ndume had queried why Saraki declined to read the letter, but accepted a similar one from the DSS.

Ndume, after the second rejection of Magu, granted several press interviews where he openly criticized Saraki and the entire Senate for rejecting Magu.

A source familiar with the planned suspension of Ndume, told the media that the move may happen any time barring any last minute change of mind.

He also said that another senator, seen to be neutral, has been approached to move a motion on the floor of the Senate to that effect.

“Already, senators loyal to Saraki are already reaching out to other colleagues who are yet to join the train. Senator Dino Melaye is believed to be leading the offensive,” the source said.

Unperturbed by his planned suspension, Ndume called for the investigation of Saraki and Melaye over the face-off with the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) and certificate forgery allegation leveled against Melaye.

Sen. Melaye, who was in the chamber when Ndume raised the twin issues, did not react or counter the statement

The Untold: How Ndume's Closed-Allies He Dines And Wines With, Led Dino Melaye Plotted His Shocking Removal

Immediate-past Majority Leader of the Senate, Ali Ndume is not new to parliamentary politics. He was a critical voice in the House of Representatives, before his movement to the Red chamber. Ndume also showed his political dexterity in 2011, when he ran against the factional chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ali Modu Sheriff and defeated him.

But his political sagacity, was however deflated on Tuesday, January 10, 2017 by his own party members, who until the recent fall out, dined and wined with him. Like a thief in the night, Ndume’s removal came as a rude shock to some people.

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For keen political observers familiar with the interplay in parliamentary politics, Ndume’s fall came rather belatedly. He has since incurred the wrath of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and his core loyalists, spearheaded by Dino Melaye.

On December 14, 2016, Senators, at an executive session, declined to confirm Ibrahim Magu as the substantive chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). They based their action on a security report, sent to them by the Department of State Services (DSS).

Ndume, had told State House correspondents soon after the Senate rejected Magu that the Red Chamber did not reject him. He had also alleged that the embattled Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. David Babachir Lawal was not indicted by the Senate.

He had stated: “It’s not an order we are giving. The Senate resolution is a recommendation; it’s not a law. What the Senate considered is work in progress because it was an interim report.

“It is the same public that is interested and worried to know what we have done as a Senate about those allegations. The committee issued an interim report and the interim report seemed to indict the SGF, the consequences of that indictment is what they recommended but we are not there yet because the report itself is interim. Okay, we take the interim report, we give the public until the whole investigation is concluded.

“I hear, coming from the SGF that he has not been given a fair hearing, so the hearing has not finished. We can give him time to go before the committee and clear himself.”

His assertion, which sharply contradicted the position of the Senate, did not go down well. Twenty four hours after he made the assertions, the spokesman of the Senate, Abdullahi Sabi, told National Assembly correspondents that Ndume acted alone and that his statement did not reflect the position and views of the Senate.

Senator Sabi had retorted: “The call to national duty is crucial. So I am here based on series of calls and text messages from you about what you thought are conflicting messages. It has become critical for the Senate to clarify issues. The 8th Senate believes in its integrity; we uphold and promote the rule of law which is the basic thing about our democracy. We are committed to doing things differently to stabilize the polity in the collective interest of Nigerians.

“I would like to make the following clarifications. I am holding the votes and proceeding of Thursday. We had two votes and proceeding because we had to go into joint session to receive Buhari.

“Our votes and proceedings are the official records of what transpired in chamber. I briefed you on Thursday to the effect that the senate is announcing that in view of security reports, we were unable to confirm Magu. We then rejected and returned the nomination to Buhari for further action.”

Top political gladiators in the Senate, also hold the view that Ndume’s removal, was part of a final deal reached between members of the Unity Forum and Like Minds in the Senate.

Saraki, in mid last year, set up a committee to reconcile aggrieved lawmakers. The first tranche of the recommendations of the committee, was implemented in the last quarter of 2016, when Senators Oluremi Tinubu and Marafa were given juicy committees, Environment and Petroleum (Downstream) respectively.

But plans to remove Ndume, commenced in mid-December, few days after the Senate embarked on its Christmas recess. Multiple sources familiar with the development, told Daily Sun that Senator Melaye, championed his removal.

It was also gathered that contrary to claims that a meeting was held where APC lawmakers agreed to remove Ndume, nothing of such happened. Instead, signatures were collected between last Monday and Tuesday. As at when Tuesday’s sitting was going on, Melaye and others who spearheaded Ndume’s removal were still collecting signatures.

Sources in the Senate told Daily Sun that Ndume was given an option to announce his resignation soon after the required number of signatures were secured, but his departure from the floor close to the end of the plenary gave the Senators and the Senate President no other option than to announce his removal.

“The Chief Whip and the Deputy Senate President were mandated to persuade Senator Ndume to tender his resignation on the floor on Tuesday but Ndume’s disappearance from the floor gave them no other choice. The letter was submitted and it had to be read once it was signed by an overwhelming majority of the Senators involved,” a senator said in confidence, adding that more than 80 percent of Like Minds Senators signed the removal notice.

Ndume, who was however expected to put up a fight, following his earlier claims that he was unaware of his removal, made a U-turn yesterday and accepted his fate. Instead, he made a long speech which did not elicit any applause from his colleagues.

Ndume stated: “Mr. President, I discussed with you before the sitting that sequel to the event that happened yesterday (Tuesday) in my absence, I went to pray when there was a change in the leadership particularly the one that affected me.

“Just like the APC Senate caucus has the right to say we have lost confidence in you, I think that I should be given the chance to say something on record. I did not do anything wrong to the best of my knowledge, but as I said, since 38 of my colleagues signed it, I agree”.  Ekweremadu who came in Ndume’s defence, hailed his statesmanship and urged him to always render his support to the leadership of the Senate.

Ekweremadu remarked: “Let me on behalf of the rest of our colleagues, thank you for your service to the Senate and indeed to the National Assembly. You were a member of the House of Representatives’ leadership at some point, you came to the Senate and also held very important committee assignments and then rose to become the Senate Leader.

Ndume’s removal may have also signaled an end to the crisis in the Senate. It may have also reconciled the feuding Unity Forum and Like Minds Senators in the Upper Legislative Chamber, against their opponents in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

It is unclear whether or not the remnants in the Senate who are still rooting for Ndume will spring up any surprise and take their pound of flesh. Saraki, Lawan and their allies may have won the first round of the long battle, but it is far from over.

The Sun Newspaper

Ekweremadu Next On Card Likely To Be Removed At The Senate - Sacked Ndume Reveals

A former Senate Majority Leader, Sen. Ali Ndume, has said the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, may be the next to lose his leadership position in the Senate.

Ndume, who was sacked by the All Progressives Congress caucus in the Senate on Tuesday, made the claim during plenary on Wednesday while decrying the way he was removed.

He said, “If today, just like that, without telling somebody and he goes out (is removed) … If it is Ndume today and he goes out, it may be, God forbid, Ekweremadu tomorrow,” he said.

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Although Ndume accepted the decision of the APC lawmakers to remove him as Senate majority leader and thanked them for the opportunity giving to him, he insisted that he wasn’t given a fair hearing by the lawmakers.

He said this was more so because he had attempted to resign from the position for the sake of unity among the lawmakers thrice before his removal.

Ndume, along with Ekweremadu, who is of the Peoples Democratic Party, and Senate President Bukola Saraki had emerged as leaders of the Senate contrary to the wish of the All Progressives Congress.

His claim hints at an attempt to remove all of them. This is more so as he was replaced by Sen. Ahmed Lawal, who had been the party’s preferred candidate for Senate President.

Punch Newspaper

REVEALED: Why Senate Sacked Ndume, ...The 'Coup', The EFCC Conundrum, How Saraki Used Him As Sacrificial Lamb

For speaking against the Senate over its failure to confirm the appointment of the Acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, members of the All Progressives Congress caucus in the chamber on Tuesday sacked the Majority Leader, Ali Ndume.

He was replaced with Senator Ahmed Lawan, who had been nominated by the APC to be President of the Senate, a position Senator Bukola Saraki is occupying.

Towards the end of plenary on Tuesday, Saraki, who presided over the session, read a letter written to him by the APC caucus in which its leadership was changed.

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The letter read, “This is to inform Your Excellency and the Senate that after several meetings held on Monday, 9th of January, 2017, and upon due deliberation and consultation, the APC caucus of the Senate hereby wishes  to notify you of the change in the leadership of the Senate, that the new Senate Leader is now Senator Ahmad Lawan, representing Yobe North Senatorial District.”

Ndume, who rushed to the Press Centre of the Senate shortly after the announcement, said the development caught him unawares.

He said, “Let me say I don’t have much to say because I was leading the business of the Senate and when it was like 12.45pm, as usual, I asked my deputy (Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah) to stand in for me while I go to pray.

“On coming back, I discovered that the session was over and one of your colleagues (journalists) approached me and said, “Leader, what happened?” And I asked what happened and he said there was an announcement of a change of leadership. I said I didn’t know. And at this point, that is the position. I didn’t know that there was change of leadership because I was not there; I went to pray and I didn’t know what actually happened and I cannot say much than that.”

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Sabi Abdullahi, who also briefed journalists after the plenary, said the decision was by the APC caucus and not the Senate as a whole.

He said, “…The Senate made the announcement and the announcement is self explanatory. Another leader was announced and as far as I am concerned, it is an announcement that somebody is announced as the new leader of the majority because it is the majority leader.”

A source close to the leadership of the Senate told one of our correspondents on condition of anonymity that members of the APC caucus were angered by Ndume’s recent activities in the Senate, one of which was his stance against the lawmakers, who rejected Magu’s nomination by President Muhammadu Buhari based on a security report by the Department of State Services, which indicted the nominee.

One of the pro-Lawan group of the APC senators under the auspices of the Senate Unity, Senator Kabir Marafa, however, told a select journalists after the announcement that the step was part of  the move to settle the dispute between Saraki, the Senate Unity Forum  and the APC leadership.

He said, “What you have seen today is just a culmination of all the pressure mounting over time.”

When asked why members of the caucus met in Ndume’s absence on the decision to sack him, Marafa stated that the rule did not make it compulsory for the former Senate Leader to have the knowledge of his sacking.

When asked if the APC had forgiven Saraki for hijacking the leadership of the Senate from the APC, Marafa said Ndume’s sacking was part of the moves to pacify the party.

Marafa also hinted that the caucus might be moving to reclaim Ekweremadu’s seat except the Deputy Senate President defected to the APC.

When asked how the APC would reclaim Ekweremadu’s seat if he failed to join the APC, Marafa retorted, “He will!”

Meanwhile, the APC has  supported  the replacement of   Ndume with  Lawan.

The APC, in a statement on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary,   Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, linked the development  to the party’s efforts to resolve the  crisis generated by the election of the Senate leadership.

It stated, “The party views this as concrete expression of faith by the APC Senate Caucus in our efforts to resolve the lingering issues that have trailed the election of Senate leadership.

 “We believe this is a major step forward in our efforts to reunite the various interest groups in that Senate election, thereby presenting a common legislative front for our great party.”

Culled From Punch Newspaper

I Remain The Senate Leader, Ndume Reacts To Sack

Fresh crisis may have brewed in the Senate as the sacked Senate Leader, Ali Ndume has said he remain the Leader, debunking report of his removal.

Ndume in a press briefing said,  "I still remain Senate Leader", stating he is unaware of his removal by the APC Senate Caucus.

 The in-house crisis in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) may have taken another turn as the party caucus in the Senate has removed the Senate Leader, Ali Ndume (Borno South).

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In a letter which was transmitted to the Senate on Tuesday, the APC caucus forwarded the name of Senator Ahmed Lawan (Yobe North) as the new Senate Leader.

The APC caucus also said the decision was arrived at during the party’s caucus’ meeting of Monday, 9th January, 2017.

Developing story ...

BREAKING: Senate Sacks Ndume, Picks Lawal

In a dramatic way, the in-house crisis in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) may have taken another turn as the party caucus in the Senate has removed the Senate Leader, Ali Ndume (Borno South).

In a letter which was transmitted to the Senate on Tuesday, the APC caucus forwarded the name of Senator Ahmed Lawan (Yobe North) as the new Senate Leader.

The APC caucus also said the decision was arrived at during the party’s caucus’ meeting of Monday, 9th January, 2017.

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As at the time of filing this report, the erstwhile Senate Leader, Ali Ndume is briefing the Press Corp of the Senate.

THE UNTOLD: How The Senate Actually UNCOVERS Buhari's SGF N275m IDP Fraud; 'The Sponsors', Other EXPOSED

Senate spokesman, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi has attributed Secretary to the government of the Federation’s woes to Senator Ali Ndume and Baba Kaka Garbai.

At a press briefing on Tuesday in Abuja, Sabi disclosed that the duo of Ndume and Garbai first sponsored a motion that the condition of internally displaced persons (IDPs) were worsening despite FG’s moves in providing relief materials, which made the Senate to commence investigations..

“Senators Ali Ndume and Baba Kaka Garbai are the genesis of SGF’s problems. They sponsored a motion that contracts awarded by FG, through presidential initiative were not executed and we went into action”, he said.

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“It was our resolution based on the motion that led to ‎Senator Shehu Sani’s Ah-hoc Committee on humanitarian crisis in the North east which eventually uncovered fraudulent practices”, he added.

Sabi added that Nigerians should be guided on resolutions of the Senate, through which it rejected nomination of Ibrahim Magu as EFCC Chairman, noting that Senate leader’s ‎statement that EFCC chairman was not rejected‎ should be ignored.

He insisted that as official spokesman of the Senate, he had the mandate to speak‎ on decisions of the Senate, noting that Magu’s rejection was based on reports from DSS.

“I am the official spokesman of the Senate, and I have here with me, resolutions of the Senate and I want to quote ‎myself, which I think some of you still have my voice, that the Senate has rejected nomination of Ibrahim Magu as EFCC chairman”, he said.

” If the Senate leader has granted an interview dissenting to what I am saying, well he might have been misquoted, but as a spokesman, you journalists should be guided”, he insisted.

According to him, the decision was taken at a closed door session where critical issues were resolved, ‎adding that the 8th Senate would always maintain efficiency and i‎ntegrity.

Daily Post

‎

BREAKING: Senate Throws Out Buhari’s Request To Borrow $30bn

The Nigerian Senate this  morning threw out President Muhammadu Buhari's request to approve the external borrowing of $30 billion to finance 2016 budget.

Buhari had last week written to the Senate, requesting for the approval to borrow about $30bn as 2016 – 2018 External Borrowing Rolling Plan.

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However, when the matter came up for deliberation and was moved by the Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, the senator representing Kogi West, Senator Dino Melaye indicated to lead a debate on the matter, but was turned down by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki

It was later subjected to a voice vote, at the end of which the ‘Nays’ turned out the loudest vote.

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Forgery Scandal: Things Fall Apart In Saraki's Camp As Ndume Joins Force With Buhari's Men

The crisis in the leadership of the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly has taken a turn for the worst as a cold war has started  between Saraki and his deputy on one hand, and the Leader of the Senate, Ali Ndume, on the other hand, Punch Newspaper reports this morning

It was revealed according to Punch Newspaper that trouble started when Saraki allegedly discovered that Ndume was not on the same page with him on the crisis he was having with the Presidency.

A ranking senator, who craved anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the issue, confided in one of our correspondents during the week that Saraki suddenly discovered that Ndume, who was allegedly close to the Presidency, was no longer pleading his case whenever he was in the Villa.

The senator explained that since his emergence as senate leader, Ndume allegedly warned Saraki to be wary of Ekweremadu and other members of the Peoples Democratic Party in the red chamber who might want to pitch him against the presidency.

He was said to have specifically advised Saraki to avoid any form of confrontation with President Muhammadu Buhari, but should rather do everything possible to support his administration, so that the latter would extend a hand of fellowship to him.

The source said, “The trouble between Saraki and Ndume started when some of Saraki’s ‘men’ in the Villa started feeding the Senate President with reports of how Ndume had allegedly joined members of the Senate Unity Forum to work against him and Ekweremadu.

“Don’t forget, Ndume contested for deputy senate president against Ekweremadu in this Eighth Senate. His initial intention was to be senate president before realignment between him and Saraki made him to settle for deputy senate president.

“It was when Saraki discovered that all attempts by him to see President Buhari did not succeed despite Ndume’s assurances that he started listening to other close colleagues, who advised him to adopt a confrontational strategy against the Presidency.”

Attempts to speak with the Senate President on the issue failed as he is currently on Lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia, while calls put across to his deputy did not also connect.

However, when contacted, the Senate Leader denied knowledge of any face-off between him and the presiding officers of the senate.

Ndume said, “I am not aware of any crack in the Senate leadership. In fact, I am hearing that for the first time.”

But some of Saraki and Ekweremadu’s aides, who spoke with one of our correspondent off the record in separate interviews, confirmed that Ndume was no longer on the same page with the Senate presiding officers.

An aide to Saraki said, “It is true. Ndume is no longer on our side but there is no cause for alarm. We have taken necessary measures. We have been observing him for quite some time now but he has shown to us where he belongs.”

Likewise, an aide to Ekweremadu, who equally spoke on condition of anonymity, acknowledged the crack in the Senate leadership, stressing that Ndume had finally fallen apart with Saraki and his boss.

He said, “The truth of the matter is that the crisis did not start today. It was when the Senate President realised that he was being misled by the senate leader that they fell apart.”

Intrigues As Kwara Senator, David Mark, Ekweremadu, Ndume, Others Eye Saraki's Seat At The Senate

Daily Trust - High-level political machinations have commenced underground at the upper chamber of the National Assembly over who may eventually succeed Senator Bukola Saraki as the Senate President, as his trial over allegation of false assets declaration begins at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT). Daily Trust on Sunday digs into the unfolding battle for the coveted Number Three seat.

Ahead of the commencement of the trial of the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on a 13-count charge bordering on false declaration of assets, his colleagues in the Senate have begun scheming for his possible replacement, Daily Trust on Sunday has gathered.

The move received a boost last week when the tribunal dismissed Saraki’s application, asking it to drop the charges, citing procedural errors.

The embattled Senate President had argued through his counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN) that the failure of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to invite him, as required by law, to explain the alleged discrepancies in his assets declaration form had invalidated the charges.

However, while giving its ruling on March 24, the tribunal dismissed the application, saying the CCB did not breach the law by filing charges at the CCT against Saraki. 

In the ruling, the tribunal’s chairman, Danladi Umar, held that the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, 1989, allowed Saraki to raise his clarifications at the level of the tribunal. The ruling, therefore, set the stage for commencement of the trial, on one hand, and powerful plots, on the other. 

The Senate President had earlier lost an appeal at the Supreme Court, where he had gone trying to get the apex court to stop his trial at the CCT.

Daily Trust on Sunday gathered that soon after the verdict clearing the course for the trial, senators with interest in the Senate Presidency began strategizing on how to take over from Saraki, holding surreptitious meetings where they canvassed for the support of their colleagues.

The senators are gunning for the most coveted seat in the Red Chamber, believing that it is only a matter of time before it becomes vacant. 

The senators eyeing Saraki’s job, some lawmakers disclosed, are both from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which has the majority in the Upper Chamber, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which has the second highest number of senators.

The possibility of the PDP making an attempt to clinch the position in the face of its minority status at the Senate first became obvious on Thursday, when its member representing Delta South and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta, Senator Peter Nwaboshi, declared that the party would produce the next Senate President if Saraki is removed.

The plots 

Recently, there have been series of secret meetings by all camps at the Upper Chamber with the sole aim of producing a united front ahead of an expected post-Saraki era.

It was learnt that the APC caucus, which was facing sharp division, started its meeting with truce talks spearheaded by the former Governor of Sokoto, Senator Aliyu Wamakko.

The meeting, which started in the office of Senator Abu Ibrahim (APC Katsina South), succeeded in bringing key actors in the warring camps of the APC together.

In Saraki’s camp, Senator Ahmed Sani Yarima (APC, Zamfara West), Senator Kabiru Gaya (APC, Kano South), Senator Adamu Aliero (APC, Kebbi Central), Senator Wamakko and Senator Danjuma Goje (APC, Gombe Central) attended the meetings. Senator Yarima nominated Saraki for the Senate Presidency last year. 

From the Ahmed Lawan’s Unity Forum camp, Senator Suleiman Othman Hunkuyi (APC, Kaduna North), Senator Kabiru Marafa (APC, Zamfara Central), Senator Gbenga Ashafa (APC, Lagos East) Senator Abu Ibrahim (APC, Katsina South) and Senator Lawan (APC, Yobe North) participated in the meetings held four times at the residence of Wamakko in Abuja.

It was gathered that the APC senators were forced to cement their crack following the moves by the PDP senators to snatch the Senate Presidency seat from the APC.

It was further learnt that the PDP caucus has been holding marathon secret meetings on how to take over the Senate Presidency, with the final strategy meeting held outside the National Assembly on Wednesday, which had the party’s national chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, in attendance.

Making public, for the first time, the agenda of the meetings, Senator Nwaboshi said they had perfected plans to produce the next Senate President if Saraki was forced out of the seat.

“If, but God forbid, because we don’t see it coming, by chance Saraki is removed, I can tell you that the PDP will produce the next Senate President. We only need three and we have it. The calculation is very clear to me. The calculation is very clear for PDP. We know what it will take us,” he said.

An analysis of the strength of the party at the Senate shows that the APC has 58 senators, PDP 44 and LP one in the person of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege of Delta Central. Six seats are still vacant in the Red Chamber, as the reruns for six senatorial districts are yet to be conducted. At the inception of the Eighth Senate in June last year, APC had 59 and PDP 49, while one seat was vacant. 

PDP: We’ll Jump at It

Also opening up on the PDP quest to snatch the Senate Presidency, the former governor of Ebonyi State, Senator Sam Egwu, said they would jump at the opportunity if Saraki was sacked. 

“We will jump at the opportunity and take the seat, since we have lost the Presidency. I didn’t attend the latest meeting on it, but we have the capacity to take it over because we are united,” he said in a phone chat. 

It was widely believed that the PDP members are planning to relaunch the party, which was defeated at the 2015 general elections, with the Senate Presidency.

The Contenders 

High ranking senators confided in Daily Trust on Sunday that five names are being touted by various camps in the Red Chamber as the likely successor of Saraki.

Abdullahi Adamu

Impeccable sources in the Like Minds camp supporting Saraki told our correspondent that they were weighing the option of Senator Abdullahi Adamu (APC, Nasarawa West) as Saraki’s likely successor.

Senator Adamu was a two-term governor of Nasarawa State, from 1999 to 2007, on the platform of the PDP. He decamped to the APC in 2014 and is the chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture.

According to sources in the Like Minds group, the former governor was being considered for the job in order to retain the position in the North-Central geopolitical zone, where the current Senate president comes from. 

   

Mohammed Shaaba Lafiagi

Another APC senator that the group is considering for the job is Senator Mohammed Shaaba Lafiagi, representing Kwara North Senatorial District. Lafiagi’s name made the list because in addition to coming from the North-Central zone, he hails from the same Kwara State as Saraki and was said to be a beneficiary of the Saraki political dynasty in Kwara.

A prominent member of the Saraki’ camp told our correspondent that meetings were secretly being held at the residence of a former governor in Abuja.

“If I’m to be in Saraki’s shoes, I will resign and concentrate on my trial, but since he has not, we don’t want to be caught off guard, hence we are looking another way round,” he said.

The senator, who said the candidature of Adamu was being promoted by some former governors who are influential in the Senate, added that senators in another faction in the same Saraki camp were pushing for Lafiagi, with a view of retaining the position in Kwara State.

Ahmed Lawan

Senator Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan (APC, Yobe North) who has been at the National Assembly since 1999 was the preferred candidate of the APC for the Senate plum job last year, but Saraki in alliance withPDP senators pushed him aside.

Members of the Lawan camp are relying heavily on the backing and support of the Presidency and that of the leadership of their party, especially the national leader, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu. 

It was gathered that Saraki deferred the plan to suspend Senator Marafa from the Upper Chamber, following ‘warnings from the powers that be.’ The return of Senator George Akume (APC, Benue-Northwest) from a medical trip that lasted weeks has boosted the chances of the Lawan camp.

“The presidency is still with us because of the stance of President Muhammadu Buhari on the issue. Whether they like it or not, one day they will fall. We are watching as the trial progresses,” a senator in the camp said.

Ali Ndume

Another senator whose name is ringing bell in the Upper Chamber as a likely successor for Saraki is the Senate Leader, Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South).

When the Senate was inaugurated in last June, Ndume contested for the deputy senate President seat, but he was defeated by Senator Ike Ekweremadu, on the strength of PDP alliance with Saraki.

Sources told our correspondent that the continued re-echoing of Ndume’s name as a contender for the seat has upset the loyalists of Saraki who are seeing him as one of their own. Ndume, a second time senator, stepped up from the House of Representatives to the Upper Chamber in 2011.

Sources close to him said the Borno-born senator has his eyes set on the Senate Presidency.  

The chances of the duo of Lawan and Ndume are being hindered by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, who happened to be from Bauchi State in the North-East, the same geopolitical zone as the two.

Ike Ekweremadu

It was gathered that the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, is said to be in the race. 

Ekweremadu is favoured by the ranking rules of the Senate.  He has been at the Upper Chamber since 2003 and Deputy Senate President since 2007. 

It was widely believed that Saraki rewarded the PDP with the Deputy Senate President seat following his alliance with them in June last year. 

Observers are of the view that the PDP is trying to repeat the Aminu Tambuwal’s episode of the House of Representatives that dealt a deadly blow to the party.

The return of the immediate past Senate President, Senator David Mark (PDP, Benue South) to the Red Chamber has brightened the chances of the PDP to clinch the post should it slip off Saraki’s hand.

Mark, aside from being the most ranking senator, was said to be a key player in the emergence of senate presidents since 1999. It is on record that he played immeasurable role in the emergence of Saraki.

Contrary to reports, our correspondent gathered that Mark is not interested in staging a comeback. 

Two APC senators from the North told our correspondent that they were trying to unite to deflate the plans of the PDP senators.

“We are fully aware of the plot of the PDP to take over the seat in case Saraki falls, but we are working to block them. We know their game plan and this is why we are trying to close our ranks for the benefit of our party and Nigerians in general who voted them out and brought us in,” an APC senator, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.

When contacted, the Senate Leader, Ndume, said the Saraki issue was being overblown by the public. “Do you know that I am still in court on a more serious issue? The President of the Senate is in court for assets declaration, but I am in court for a more serious issue, that I am an alleged sponsor of Boko Haram

“I have been in court for four years, so why is it not an issue? I have not complained, it is not a big deal, I am still the Leader of the Senate and my role is as important as that of the President of the Senate, but it is not a big deal. Why are you making his case a big deal?” he said. 

On whether he was eyeing the seat or not, Ndume said “It is Allah that gives power and He gives it to whoever He deems fit and at anytime.”

Also, the spokesperson of the Senate President, Yusuph Olaniyonu, denied that other senators were coveting his boss’ seat, saying Saraki enjoyed the support of the overwhelming number of his colleagues.

“That is an old story which has been debunked by many leading senators. I refer you to the interview by Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim and Senator Peter Nwaoboshi. That is why he has continued to perform his duties unperturbed, even with the so much hyped CCT case, “he said.

Also, one of the aides of Senator Ekweremadu, who pleaded anonymity, described the report that his boss was jostling to succeed Saraki as an ‘APC scam and propaganda to keep pressure’ on the Senate President.

“My boss doesn’t even foresee Saraki’s removal, let alone jostle to succeed him,” he said.