Ex-minister advises Senate President to resign

A former Minister of State for Education, Chief Kenneth Gbagi, has advised Senate President Bukola Saraki to for the sake of honour, dignity and integrity.

Saraki is standing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal for allegedly making false declaration of assets under oath while he was governor of Kwara state from 2003 to 2011.

Speaking to journalists at his Asokoro, Abuja, residence on Wednesday, September 23, Gbagi said that "fact that the Senate President has lied by doing anticipatory declaration means he has no business being in office and living on tax payers’ money.

“First Nigerians will not have faith in anything that comes out of a Senate that is presided over by him. The entire international community will not believe in the passage of any bill under his leadership.

“If you ask me, I will say it is in his own interest to resign because it is no longer business as usual.”

The former minister berated senator who are rallying support for the Senate President, adding that false declaration of assets is a very grave crime that attracts stiff penalties in advanced democracies.

“The only reason why America is still a country today is that no matter who you are, once you crossed the rules of the law, you must pay for it. Until we get to that level, we are just wasting our time,” ex-minister said.

“First and foremost, Saraki cannot be sitting there as Senate President because whatever he does will question the integrity of the entire Senate.”

Saraki had pleaded not guilty to 13-count charge of false declaration of assets on Tuesday, September 22.

He appeared before the Tribunal after an order was given for his arrest for failing to show up at his hearing two times.