*Ndume can’t speak for Senate —SABI
*Wabara asks Magu, SGF to resign on moral grounds

By Joseph Erunke

ABUJA —A major crisis appeared to have penetrated the leadership of the Senate over last Thursday’s rejection of the confirmation of the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Magu.

This came on a day former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara, called on Magu to resign his appointment, following indicting security reports against him.

Yesterday, the Senate, through its official spokesman, Aliyu Sabi insisted that it is finished with the business of Magu’s non-confirmation, affirming that the Senate will not revisit the issue.

Sabi asked people to disregard the position of the Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, saying though he is a principal officer, he could not speak for it. He insisted that the Senate had since settled the issue of non-confirmation of the Acting Chairman of the EFCC, saying it would not revisit it any longer.

Senator Sabi said: “The Senate Leader is the Senate Leader but I am the spokesman. He can’t do my job and I can’t do his job. He is my leader but we have different responsibilities.

Ibrahim Magu, Acting Executive Chairman, EFCC

“Occasioned by what he said, if people are making meaning from what he said, I am here to clarify. Media reports emerging, especially from interviews granted by Senator Ali Ndume meant we have to clarify issues.

“For the records, I am the official spokesman of the Senate and I intend to discharge this with honour and integrity because the sanctity of the institution is crucial to the sustenance of democracy.”

On Monday, Senator Ndume in  an interview with newsmen, said that Magu’s nomination was not rejected, hinting that it was only stepped down, pending further consultations.

The position of Ali Ndume, which also suggested that Magu’s nomination would be reconsidered after the consultations bordering on alleged security reports against the latter, infuriated the Senate, which necessitated it to react through a press conference, yesterday.

Speaking on the position of the Red Chamber, its spokesman, Aliyu

Wabara asks Magu, SGF  to resign

Meanwhile, former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara, has called on Magu to resign his appointment, following indicting security reports against him.

Wabara, who made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja, also called for the resignation of Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Babachir Lawal.

Wabara urged the duo to resign on moral grounds, saying it did not matter if the allegations against them were proved or not.

He said: “They should go. When Obasanjo alleged corruption matter against me, I resigned to face it. So I mean you resign.”

Wabara added that the Senate had powers to carry out its responsibilities for the sustenance of democracy.

He said:  “The Senate has every power to confirm or not to confirm. In this case, it is not a Senate problem or Senate issue. There were security reports from outside the Senate for the consideration of the Senate.”