The Nigerian Senate on Friday, October
7, 2016 said the forgery case against its presiding officers, Senate
President Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu has been a
distraction to the law making body and that the withdrawal is a
confirmation of its position that the nation cannot afford any sharp
division between the various arms of government.
In a statement e-mailed to The Trent and
signed by its spokesman, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, the Senate said
the decision to withdraw the case and its subsequent dismissal as well
as the discharge of the defendants has confirmed its earlier position
that the case was indeed an abuse of court process having been dismissed
earlier by the court.
“We have always said it that that case
was politically motivated. The executive cannot decide for the
legislature the genuineness or otherwise of its standing rules. However,
where there is a crack in the wall, it is easy for others to capitalize
on the differences between us. Now that Senators have closed their
ranks, the executive is only taking the right cue.
“We are happy with this development. We
believe it is a sign of good things to come. It is a victory for
democracy. A victory for separation of powers, checks and balances and
constitutionalism.
“We commend the judiciary for its
continuous dedication and commitment to the rule of law in our
democracy. We restate our confidence in their ability to adjudicate and
dispense justice in all matters in the polity which no doubt greatly
contribute to national productivity. Our commendation also goes to the
Federal Ministry of Justice for being courageous enough to do the right
thing.
“We however call on the government to go
the whole hog and withdraw other cases with political coloration. This
is a period for the political leadership to present a united front.
There is an emergency in the country. The economy is in crisis. This has
resulted in escalating and excruciating poverty among our people.
Social problems are on the rise. There are conflicts across the country.
National values are being eroded. Crucial Infrastructure and social
services are collapsing. These are the things that should preoccupy our
minds, especially now that our economy is in recession.
“The international community will take
us more seriously when they see that everybody in the national
leadership is speaking along the same line of solving the economic
problem, encouraging productivity, creating employment, promoting
discipline and working to make our country great.
“For us in the Senate, the assignment of
nation building continues. We will, as always re-dedicate ourselves to
serve the nation for the benefit of our citizens. We assure our people
that we will always protect their interests and like the Senate
President said when we resumed a few weeks ago, our major pre-occupation
now is to get the economy back on its feet again,” Abdullahi stated.
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