Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, Tuesday said, Senate President Bukola Saraki would not resign from office, except proven guilty by the Code of Conduct Tribunal.
Ndume, who spoke with journalists after meeting with Acting President Yemi Osinbajo said Saraki who occupies the number three office in the nation cannot be convicted before the trial.
“Are you saying that the Senate President should be convicted before the trial? In our constitution, you are considered innocent until proven guilty” he said.
Last Friday, the Supreme Court rejected Saraki’s appeal against the competence and jurisdiction of the Code of Conduct Tribunal to try him for 13-count charge of false asset declaration slammed on him by the federal government. This development generated renewed calls for the resignation of Saraki who is facing trial for alleged false asset declaration.
The senate leader, who was accompanied by Dino Melaye and former Nasarawa State Governor, Abdulahi Adamu, said they had come to consult with the Osinbajo, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his decision to handover the reins of government to the Vice President in his absence.
“This is not the first time we are coming here. But this is the first time we are having the Vice President as acting President. That is one of the reasons why we are here.
“This is because we are setting a new example. During the previous government, the President will just go and leave the place blank.
“But this time around when our President goes for a few days, he transmitted to all Nigerians that the Vice President is to act as the President. So we came for the regular consultation. There is nothing new about it and we will be doing more of this” he said.
He added that they had also come to discuss relating to the ongoing budget defence as well as the new Money Laundering Bill before the Senate.
Elizabeth Archibong
