Senator tells Ndume to show remorse, apologise to Saraki

Dino Melaye has some advice for senator Ali Ndume on how to handle his suspension.

According to Senator representing Kogi West, all Ndume has to do is show remorse and apologise to Bukola Saraki.

Speaking on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television on Friday, Melaye referred to the Senate president as a compassionate person, adding that he knows that Ndume can get his punishment reduced if he simply apologises.

He also said that the decision to suspend Ndume for raising a petition against Saraki and himself had nothing to with both of them, adding that the decision was made by the Senate.

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Melaye said, “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."

“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.”tenders an apology to Senate President, Bukola Saraki, his punishment will be reduced.

“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.”

Moving on to the credibility of his alleged degree from Harvard University, he said that he refuses to be distracted.

In his words, “Even a mechanic or a plumber who undergoes apprenticeship is given a certificate… he graduates from his training.

“Anyone who attends a particular institution and is given a certificate that he attended the programme, whether it is diploma, a degree or PhD, as long as you have been given a certificate, you are a graduate of that institution because you carry a certificate of that institution.

“I am not going to be distracted.”

Senator Ndume was suspended on Wednesday, March 29, 2017.