Senate Condemns SGF’s Reaction To Corruption Allegation

Its battles drawn between the Senate and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Babachir Lawal, as the Senate has expressed displeasure at the statements credited to Mr Lawal in newspaper publications.

Raising a point of order on the floor, Senator Dino Melaye drew the attention of the Senate to some newspaper publications where the SGF described allegations leveled against him by the Senate on Wednesday as an attempt to rubbish his person.

According to Channels Tv, the Senate on Wednesday demanded the resignation of the SGF over his involvement in a 223-million-naira contract meant for the humanitarian crisis management in the north east.

However, Senate President Bukola Saraki described the SGF’s response as unfortunate.

“Yesterday we all heard the President, the number citizen of this country, humbly telling us that he is seeking cooperation with the National Assembly.

“How can his Secretary be telling us we are saying rubbish? The two conversations are not in sync.

“Even if someone has been accused of something, there are ways in which he can respond, but to say that this is rubbish or we are talking nonsense; I think it is personalizing the issues.

“The issues here are very clear. We set up a committee, they did their work, nothing was doctored or created. The reports are very clear.

“The resolution we took yesterday, as being suggested today, would be communicated to Mr President with the supporting documents to show clearly where it is (especially in a government fighting corruption) that somebody in a executive position can award a contract to a company he is a shareholder of,” Senate President Saraki said.