Voice of Nigeria: Senator Abdullahi Adamu has been removed as Chairman of the northern caucus of the Nigerian Senate, following allegations of misappropriating Seventy Million Naira (₦70,000,000) belonging to the caucus.
The decision to sack Senator Adamu as Chairman of the caucus was made public on Wednesday during the senate plenary session.
In a letter which was signed by spokesman of the forum, Senator Dino Melaye, and read by Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, “Senator Adamu was removed for financial misappropriation as Chairman of the forum.” The letter announced Senator Aliyu Wamakko as the new Chairman of the Northern Senators forum, replacing Senator Adamu.
Senator Wamakko was former governor of Sokoto State and now a lawmaker on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), while Senator Abdullahi Adamu is also a former Governor of Nasarawa state, and now represents Nasarawa West Senatorial district in the senate.
Addressing Journalists shortly after plenary, a member of the forum, Senator Shehu Sani from Kaduna state, revealed that the sum of ₦70,000,000 was inherited from the leadership of the caucus of the 7th Senate.
According to Senator Sani, “the current Senate leader, Ahmed Lawan had informed the forum of the said amount, which he handed over to the current leadership of the northern caucus.”
Senator Sani however expressed optimism that Senator Adamu would clear himself of the allegations over time.“You know we don’t shave somebody’s hair in his absence, I hope Abdullahi Adamu will clear his name on this matter,” he assured.
Open Distance Learning
In another development, the Senate on Wednesday passed for second reading, a Bill that would make distance learning education more easily accessible by Nigerians and other interested stakeholders.
It is a Bill for an Act to translate and expand the educational policy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on access to educational services by institutionalizing Open Distance Learning in collaboration with National Universities Commission and the National Board for Technical Education, and for related matters 2018.
Sponsor of the Bill, and spokesman of the Senate, Senator Aliyu Sabi while leading debate on the Bill, argued that it will also help the country check excessive capital flight that is almost becoming the order of the day among the working class of Nigerians.
Also on Wednesday, the Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial district, Ovie Omo-Agege tendered his apology to the Senate over his comment against the decision of the Senate to pass a Bill seeking to reorder the sequence of elections.
The bill which followed a conference report of the Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the House of Representatives and Senate was adopted by the Senators, thereby scheduling the Presidential election as last if the Bill gets the President’s assent.
Senator Omo-Agege did not only oppose the sequence of election as approved by the National Assembly but he accused the Senate of targeting President Muhammadu Buhari, in concurring with the House of Representative on the amended Act.
However, he apologized to his colleagues during Wednesday’s plenary session when he came under order 43, and asked that he be forgiven for the error in his comment.
“Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, Senator Dino Melaye raised a point of order over my comment last week that the sequence of election was targeted at President Buhari. I wish to apologise for my comment.”
In his remarks, Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu asked the Committee investigating the matter, to expeditiously dispense investigations bearing in mind the Senator Omo-Agege’s apology.
