BY VICTOR BUORO, ABUJA – The President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, on Wednesday commended members of the Senate and the House of Representatives for standing up in defence of democracy and the rule of law.
Speaking on the invasion of the upper chamber of the National Assembly by some hoodlums allegedly headed by suspended Ovie Omo-Agege who took away the Senate Mace, Saraki said the resolve of the Senate and the solidarity shown by the green chamber is a strong signal for enemies of democracy.
Senator Saraki, who was speaking from Washington where he is attending the Spring Meeting of the World Bank/International Monetary Fund (IMF), said, “I have just been informed that some hoodlums invaded the Senate chambers, forcefully taken away the mace and assaulted some of our Sergeant-at-arms on chamber duties.
“I am delighted that the Senate stood up to them by disregarding their unreasonable and shameful action and went on with the day’s proceedings as slated in the Order Paper.
“My commendation goes to my deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, other members of the leadership, my colleagues, the leadership and members of the House of Representatives for standing in defence of democracy, parliamentary sanctity and constitutionalism.
“With the way the Senate has defied those seeking to undermine it, we have sent out a strong signal that we are always ready to defend our constitutional mandate and nothing will deter us from this.
“I associate myself with the comments of the Deputy Senate President that we are ready to get to the roots of this assault on democracy and ensure that those who are responsible, no matter how remote, will be brought to justice”, Saraki stated.
