The Nigerian senate on resumption of plenary after its annual recess on Tuesday 29th September, 2015 passed a Vote on Confidence on its incumbent leadership as led by the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.
The Senators had in a motion moved by Senator David Umaru who represents Niger East Senatorial District, seconded by former governor of Zamfara State and Senator representing Zamfara Central Senatorial District, Senator Ahmed Sani and overwhelmingly supported by 82 others passed the Vote of Confidence.
It however did not go without a little hitch as a Senator from Osun East, Babajide Omoworare who chairs the Senate Committee on Rules and Business raised that he would like to withdraw his name from the list and Senator Kabiru Marafa disrupting proceedings till he walked out of the Floor while Senators debated the motion which was subsequently passed with the overwhelming support of Senators present.
Kabir Marafa, a staunch opponent of the embattled Senate President, was so incensed by the motion and the proceedings on the floor that his reaction almost disrupted the session.
He vociferously criticised the motion, arguing that it should not have been entertained in the first place.
Mr. Marafa wondered why issues surrounding Mr. Saraki’s corruption trial was entertained as a motion even while the matter was still pending in courts.
The Senate has a standing rule barring it from discussing matters pending in court.
For minutes, a visibly livid Mr. Marafa engaged Mr. Saraki in heated argument, with both lawmakers talking back at each other.
However, the duo of Senators Gbenga Ashafa and Sola Adeyeye saved the legislative body from what would have been another violent session.
They calmed Mr. Marafa down and then persuaded him to leave the chamber. They then escorted him out of the chamber.
The Nigerian government had last week, on the recommendation of the Code of Conduct Bureau, arraigned Mr. Saraki before the Code of Coduct Tribunal over charges relating to false assets declaration and operation of foreign account while he served as governor of Kwara State between 2003 and 2011.
Mr. Saraki had said in his preliminary statement said he was arraigned and being persecuted because he emerged Senate President contrary to the wishes of his party.
This vote of confidence an improvement in the performance ratings of the Senate leadership as about 81 Senators had earlier done such a few months ago with Senators rising beyond their political affiliations to support the leadership of Senator Bukola Saraki without a dissenting voice.
See the list of 83 senators who passed the vote on confidence on Senator Saraki.
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