Saraki is like my son, says Adamu

Senator Obinna Ogba had told lawmakers on Thursday, March 8, 2018, that he had evidence of ‘money exchanging hands’ between some lawmakers in a bid to get Saraki off his seat.

But, in a statement, Senator Adamu said he was not against Saraki ‘in any way’.

“A colleague called me and drew my attention to what happened on the floor of the senate today. It is amusing but very saddening at the same time,” the statement read.

“I am not in any way after Saraki. Saraki is like a son to me. I had the right to contest for the senate president seat three years ago when the 8th senate was inaugurated, but I never did because I wasn’t interested.

“It is therefore, not logical for anyone to say I’m interested in the seat now, and will be planning to destabilise the senate. To achieve what? For what purpose? It is not right for anyone to make such unfounded insinuations.

“We are almost three years in office, the election year is drawing nearer, and I think anyone thinking of upstaging the leadership of the senate for any reason will only be fighting a lost battle because it is not what should naturally occupy the mind of any serious-minded lawmaker.”

Senator Adamu challenged those who levelled the allegations against him to provide facts to prove the allegations.

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“I can’t be after Saraki, and I won’t do anything to upstage the leadership as being claimed because it’s a fruitless venture.

“But if I believe strongly in a cause, I stand by it. If I’ve offended anyone by my strong stand on some issues in the senate, it is in accordance with my conviction. I stand by it anytime. But talking of trying to cause disaffection in the senate is not an issue at all.

“Whatever we do in this world, we must be ready to bear our cross. I’m ready to bear mine. Anyone who knows me will say clearly that I’m not plotting to remove Saraki. Let them look for another thing to say,” he added.

Senators’ jumbo pay

Meanwhile, a recent revelation by Shehu Sani, may have given life to the allegation that Nigerian Senators are heavily paid for performing their duty of lawmaking.

In an interview, Sani said a Nigerian Senator is handed N13.5million monthly as running cost.