Unic Press UK: The caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Nigerian Senate have removed Ali Ndume, who hitherto was the majority leader.
Ndume was removed on Tuesday, the 10th January 2017, when the Senate president Bukola Saraki read at plenary a letter from the caucus.
SP @bukolasaraki reads a letter from APC caucus on the change in the Senate Leadership announcing Sen.Ahmed Lawan as the new caucus Leader.
— Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) January 10, 2017
Excerpts from the letter reads:
“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 Ahmed Lawan, representing Yobe North Senatorial District.”
Ndume’s removal might not be unconnected with his claim that the Senate did not reject the request of the Nigerian president for the confirmation of Ibrahim Magu as the substantive chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Ndume’s ‘denunciation’ of the rejection of Magu by the Senate was, probably, his undoing as it appeared to be an affront to the upper chamber.
On Thursday, the 15th December 2016, when the Senate rejected Magu, the chairman of the senate committee on media and public affairs, Sabi Abdullahi said in Abuja:
“The Senate wishes to inform the general public that based on security reports available to the senate, it cannot proceed and confirm the nomination of Ibrahim Magu as the Executive Chairman of EFCC… the Senate hereby rejects the said nomination and has returned the said nomination to Mr President for further action’’
Ndume, who left the plenary session to pray when the senate approved his removal/replacement, says he was removed for insisting that the upper chamber of the legislative house had abdicated the appropriate procedure when it rejected the request for Ibrahim Magu’s confirmation as the EFCC chairman.
