Dino brought the letter that I should sign and I did, Senator on how Ndume was removed
Even though he expressed surprise and shock at his removal as Senate leader, Ali Ndume should with the benrfit of hindsight, had seen his sack coming. More information have also unmasked those behind the action and their reason for taking the decision.
Ndume from Borno state lost his position as majority leader in the Senate when he left the chambers to say his prayers. Before Ndume left the chambers to observe prayers, he handed over his role to his deputy, Bala Ibn Na-Allah. Within 10 minutes his colleagues had sacked him and the day’s proceeding was adjourned immediately.
The plot to oust Ndume began even while he moderated the sitting. He was unaware that his colleagues were appending their signatures to a statement approving his ouster. Ndume and Saraki fell apart after the Senate declined to confirm the appointment of Ibrahim Magu as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Last December, when his colleagues rejected Magu on the basis of adverse security report by the Department of State Services, DSS, Ndume objected it. Several senators said that they signed the sack of Ndume on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday. They said the letter for the sack of Ndume was conveyed from one seat to the other by Dino Melaye (APC, Kogi), a die-hard supporter of Saraki.
Melaye had in December engaged in a war of words with Ndume over Magu. One of the Senators said, “When I came in, Dino accosted me and brought the letter that I should sign and I did. I was told that the sack was perfected at Dino’s residence on Monday.â€
Asked why Ndume was sacked, he said, “It is because of Magu and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal.â€
Another Senator from the South West said he also signed the letter during plenary. “I was invited for the meeting but I didn’t make it. I think it was held at Saraki’s officeâ€. Order 32 (6) of the Senate Standing rules which talked about change of leadership, states that, “after due notice of the Senate, each party has the right to change its Leader or Whip, provided that the change is made by majority of the senators of the party in the Senateâ€.
The main beneficiary of the 'coup', Lawan, said: “I did not see it coming but with God nothing is impossible. Our colleagues in the APC caucus decided to effect the change. I thank God and my colleagues for the privilege giving to me. I will do my utmost best to ensure that the Senate continues to work for the benefit of Nigerians,†he said.
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