By Joshua Egbodo
Abuja
Fifteen members of the House of Representatives has countered an earlier move by some of their colleagues over their position, directing Senator Kabiru Marafa to respect of the National Assembly over his position on the ongoing trial of President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki.
The 15-member group in a statement yesterday said their 11 colleagues who last week cautioned Marafa should not dabble into the internal affairs of the Senate.
It said: “It must be made clear to the legislators who are mostly new members that the two houses of the National Assembly are independent and separate, and by getting involved in the internal crisis of the Senate shows them to be busybodies and interlopers who know nothing about the running of a bicameral legislature.
“For legislators who swore to uphold the constitution, it is surprising that they fail to recognise the inalienable fundamental right of Senator Marafa to free speech in our constitutional democracy and as guaranteed under Chapter 4 of the Nigerian Constitution.
“It is even more shocking that they were so quick to do the bidding of whoever their paymaster is, that they moved even faster than the Senate ethics committee set up to investigate the matter.”
Continuing, it said: “We wonder where these legislators were when former President made his own public opinion and tirade recently. We advise our colleagues to mind their own business and face the peoples’ work for which they were elected to do.
“Since we are all entitled to our opinion, we agree with Senator Marafa that the budget distortions became a political tool in the hands of some legislators and their agenda was to use it for political negotiation.
“We are happy with the peaceful atmosphere and stability in the House of Representatives, therefore, Speaker Yakubu Dogara should call these members to order.”
Those who signed the statement included Hon. John Dyegh, Hon. Lawal Yahaya Gumau, Hon. Ahmad Babba Kaita, Hon. Agunsoye Rotimi, Hon. Ali Madaki, Hon. Aminu Malle and Hon Nazir Zango Daura. Others are; Hon. Muhammad Soba, Hon. Ismail Gadaka, Hon. Abdulrahman Shuaibu, Hon. Sunday Adepoju, Hon. Adekunle Akinlade, Hon. Musa Sarki Adar, Hon. Ajibola Famurewa and Hon. Abdulmamud Gaiya.
