One of the Presidential Aspirants in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi has called on all those crucifying the Senate President, Bukola Saraki to leave him alone as his continued stay as Senate President irrespective of his party affiliation is lawful, constitutional and democratic.
He said that Senator Bukola Saraki, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and Yakubu Dogara were elected based on the provision of the constitution and not party based.
Speaking to newsmen during his visit to the PDP Secretariat in Minna on Saturday, Markafi told those who have been calling on Saraki and Dogara to vacate their seats to leave them alone.
“The position of the presiding officers of the National Assembly, based on the constitution of Nigeria is an election of one among equals based on voting irrespective of party affliction. The constitution said that the Senators are to elect among themselves, it did not say that it must be from a majority party.
“Positions tied to party affliction are the positions like majority and minority leaders and Chief Whips along with their deputies. Therefore Senator Bukola Saraki, Ike Ekweremadu and Dogara should be left alone because they are elected based on provision of the constitution and their continuing stay irrespective of the party they belong to is constitutional, it is lawful and it is democratic. ”
Speaking further, the Presidential hopeful who expressed his delight over the recent defection to PDP said that, “We are still expecting more” but noted that the party would need to manage the defections well to ensure that there would be no fall out.
He then said that all members of the PDP should be ready to make sacrifices for the peace and unity of the party.
