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March 31, 2005
N55m scam: Group wants Wabara to step aside
INTERNATIONAL pressure may also be exerted on the embattled Senate President Chief Adolphus Wabara to step aside to allow for unfettered investigation of bribery allegation levelled against him and some members of the National Assembly.
RASHEED BISIRIYU
Already, a non-governmental organisation, the International Organisation on Democracy in Africa (IODA) is seeking the cooperation of others to achieve that mission and avert further degeneration of the N55 million bribery saga which led to the sacking of Prof. Fabian Osuji as Education minister.
President of the group, Chief Matthew Uwaekwe, told newsmen in Lagos yesterday that it would do the nation and the accused a lot of good for Chief Wabara to step aside while the matter is properly investigated.
According to him, the allegation had smeared the image of the National Assembly and the nation, adding that to save the situation, the law must be allowed to take its natural course.
Besides, Chief Uwaekwe said there was no way the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFFC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) could investigate the matter and try those named in connection with the scandal without being accused of taking sides “unless the characters are suspended from office”.
Although he said it was a matter for the National Assembly to decide, he however, warned that “There is need to be careful not to expose Nigeria’s democracy to international ridicule.
“It is our position that the Senate President should step aside, to allow for transparency, probity and honesty in order to sustain democracy in Nigeria.
He, however, urged all the relevant agencies handling the matter to be thorough, honest and fair to all.
“At the end of the exercise, if the Senate President is not found guilty, he should be allowed to continue to lead the Upper Chamber”, he stated.
Chief Uwaekwe also expressed displeasure at the alleged politics of intrigue being played with the position of Senate President since 1999. “As an Igboman and leader, I frown at the way our people are being used against one another, which is giving a bad image to the South East senators in the senate”, he further said.
Chief Uwaekwe, therefore, challenged Ohanaeze to step in fast and put an end to such ugly situation.
Posted by Publisher at March 31, 2005 03:52 PM
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