Lawmakers taking side with the Senate President Bukola Saraki, on the charges filed against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), have restated that their position on the development remains the same as they believe it was politically motivated.

Speaking on behalf of other lawmakers today in a statement issued to journalists in Abuja, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, identified that “from the beginning of the trial last September, we have declared that this case is not about any fight against corruption. It is simply a case of political vendetta.”

Sabi also noted that the decision of the Supreme Court given last Friday was on preliminary matters arising from the commencement of the trial, saying that the trial proper is yet to begin.

He added that “since the fundamental principle in our legal system is that a defendant is deemed innocent until proven guilty, we have decided to patiently observe the proceedings until the case runs its full circle in the nation's final judicial forum.”

While noting there was no basis for the call on the Senate President to resign until after the matter is decided in that final judicial forum, he said “such a call at this time is premature, mischievous and unwarranted.

“We therefore reiterate our support for Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki as the President of the Senate. We stand by him as he goes through the trial at the CCT where we believe he will be able to prove his innocence. We will not make any further statement on this case until the matter has been decided in the final judicial forum.”

He called on members of the public to ignore the ranting of a few Senators who having failed to get the wish of their sponsors done on the floor of the Senate are now launching media campaign against the leadership of the Senate.

“We want members of the public to know that the Senate under Saraki has achieved stability in the legislative institution, and we do not need any negative distraction at this point.

Commenting on the 2016 Budget, he emphasised that the focus of Senate is on the objective consideration and timely passage of the 2016 budget, and tasked Nigerians to support in concentrating on the important assignment.

•Photo shows Dr. Saraki.

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