Over 23 Pro-Lawan Senators to challenge Saraki’s election

dimeji akinloye

June 10, 2015 10:03 PM

Spokesman for the 'The Unity Forum Group,' Barnabas Gemade, said that the constitutional rights cannot be manipulated by an individual.

Senators who came together to form, The Unity Forum Group, in support of Ahmed Lawan as the candidate for Senate president, have guaranteed to challenge Bukola Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu as the president and deputy president of the Senate respectively.

The spokesman for the group, Barnabas Gemade, said that the constitutional rights cannot be manipulated by an individual.

He spoke at a news briefing attended by 23 members of the group.

He explained why members of the group boycotted the election and inauguration of the new leadership Tuesday.

“The insinuation in some quarters that we boycotted the election is totally unfounded,” he said.

“As loyal party members, we would take all necessary political and legal means to strengthen our democratic process.

“In an effort to meet up with the inauguration, we rushed to honour the invitation of Mr. President at the International Conference Centre, ICC, when we got news that the Senate president elections had started.

“This process which remains unconstitutional cannot confer legitimacy to the elected Senate President,” he said.

He added that the decision was taken knowing fully well that the quorum for the election of the Senate President had not been met.

George Akume, representing Benue State, also said that the election cannot be said to have taken place with only 51 senators.

dimeji akinloye