A former Special Adviser to President Shehu Shagari, Tanko Yakasai, has lambasted President Muhammadu Buhari, and the All Progressives Congress, APC over the invitation of the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, by police over allegations of forgery.

Mr. Ekweremadu was invited by the police on the allegation of illegally altering Senate Standing Rules used in electing Bukola Saraki as President of the Senate.

Mr. Yakasai said the police invitation came at the prompting of the president and the APC, and warned that it portends danger for Nigerian democracy.

The opposition PDP had also raised alarm over the invitation.

However, the APC, in a swift response, said it had nothing with do with the invitation. It however, said the police reserves the right to investigate serious allegations against anybody, no matter how highly placed.

On its part, the Nigerian police said following the receipt of a petition from a Senator, a letter was subsequently sent to the clerk of the National Assembly to facilitate a meeting of some principal officers of the senate and the clerk with the police investigating team headed by a Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force CID.

Mr. Yakasai, in an interview Monday in Kano, stated that what the APC and President Buhari were doing with regards to the emergence of the deputy senate president, was an act desperation that will not auger well with the nation’s democracy.

He accused Mr. Buhari and APC leaders of lacking the basic knowledge of the norms and rules of legislative chambers.

“I think the problems here is that neither Buhari, nor Oyegun or any serious member of the APC are truly aware of the basic knowledge of the national assembly, they should use this chance to have some know how of the settings and rules therein,” he said.

Mr. Yakassai said although the election of principal officers of the national assembly is done by a simple majority, their removal requires the participation of all members.

He therefore, said removing Mr. Ekweremadu now would be a dangerous scenario that would not even work.


Source: Premium Times