SAN FRANCISCO, March 31, (THEWILL) – The Senator representing Kogi west senatorial district, Dino Melaye, has urged Ali Ndume, his Borno south counterpart, that Senate President Bukola Saraki will reduce his punishment if he tenders an apology.
THEWILL recalls the Senate suspended Ndume for six months based on the recommendation of its ethics and privileges committee after clearing Saraki and Melaye of allegations brought against them by Ndume.
Speaking on Friday when he appeared as a guest on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television, Melaye said Ndume was not a victim of witch-hunt.
“Senator Ndume is an experienced legislator, having been in the house of representatives for two terms, and this being his second term in the senate,” he said.
“I didn’t prophecy that he would be suspended, or did Bukola Saraki, who was wrongly accused. We are not the ones who make up the senate. Ndume should understand the workings of the national assembly. The senate is made up of 109 members.
“So, the decision to suspend Ndume was not that of Saraki or myself, but the decision of the Nigerian senate after investigation by the relevant committees
“We have a very responsible senate president, a very compassionate Nigerian who does not believe in witch-hunting.
“Already, there is a lot of pressure, and people are appealing to the person of Bukola Saraki, and I can say on good authority that if Saraki had presided over Ndume’s case, he may not have been suspended because the senate president is a compassionate character.
“So, if Ndume shows remorse, apologise to the senate, the Bukola Saraki that I know will persuade members to either reduce his punishment or forgive him.
“The senate has the capacity to suspend any erring senator, but what we are saying here is very clear, due process was followed.
“Ali Ndume was given fair hearing. He appeared before the committee, he defended himself before the committee gave that recommendation, which was ratified by the entire senate.”
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