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President Muhammadu Buhari has caved in to pressure from the Nigerian Senate to suspend the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Babachir Lawal.
The decision to suspend Lawal was part of the consensus reached at a reconciliatory meeting being held by the Presidency and the leadership of the Senate.
The frosty relationship between the Presidency and the Senate has informed the decision of the lawmakers to suspend the screening of the President’s nominees for the positions of Resident Electoral Commissioners., “The President was advised to suspend the SGF because his issue was already giving the government a bad name.
“Apart from the fact that he is not known as a major part in the APC, he is also being seen as a cog in the wheel of the government anti-corruption crusade.
“Already, his issue has also polarised the party and the Presidency. So, in order to give a bite to the anti-corruption war, he needs to be suspended.”a deependable source told YOUNEWS
Intrestingly, the Chairman, Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Mounting Humanitarian Crisis in the North-East, Senator Shehu Sani, on Wednesday, hailed Buhari for suspending the SGF., “It is commendable that the President has taken the Senate committee report and recommendations seriously. The sword of truth is not just cast and sharpened for the neck of foes but also for those of friends.
“The Senate and the committee have nothing personal against the SGF or any person affected but we simply did our job in conformity with our constitutional responsibilities and the moral calling of our conscience.”
When asked on the telephone if the SGF would still be expected to appear before the panel, Sani said the probe would continue and the lawmakers would decide when Lawal would appear before them.
Also, the House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes described as a “welcome development”, the President’s suspending Lawal.
The Chairman of the committee, Mr. Kayode Oladele, said that suspending Lawal would allow for an unfettered investigation to be carried out into the contracts.
He explained, “It will appear that the Presidency has finally come to terms with the resolution of the Senate, calling for an investigation of the SGF.
“It is logical that in such a situation, suspension is the best step so that the SGF does not use his position to influence the investigation.”
On the NIA’ boss, Oladele noted that from the point of the EFCC and the law, the money found by the anti-graft agency was “slush funds” until proven otherwise.
“Both actions, as taken so far by the Presidency, are a welcome development,” Oladele said.
