Police make U-turn, deny inviting Ekweremadu

The Nigerian police have denied inviting the deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, for questioning over allegation of forgery.

The police had earlier said a petition by a senator on the substitution of the senate standing rules had led to an investigation and further invitation of some principal members of the senate and the clerk of the national assembly.

However, speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria, the deputy police spokesperson, Abayomi Shongule, said the police team met with the clerk of the national assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa, and some unnamed principal officers of the assembly.

He said contrary to reports, Mr. Ekweremadu was not invited. He refused to provide further details, according to NAN.

Meanwhile, Mr. Ekweremmadu said he will not be intimidated by desperate politicians in carrying out his constitutional duties.

A statement by his spokesperson, Uche Anichukwu, said Mr. Ekweramadu was making provisions for improved security for himself.

“The deputy president of the Senate wishes to assure Nigerians that necessary steps are being taken by the security agencies to beef up security around him,” he said. “

Senator Ekweremadu wishes to assure all Nigerians and concerned members of the international community that everything is under control and that all democratic steps are being taken to preserve the nation’s democracy and protect the independence of the legislature.”

At Senate plenary on June 24, Kabir Marafa (APC-Zamfara State) a senator opposed to the emergence of Bukola Saraki and Mr. Ekweremadu as president and deputy president of the Senate respectively, made an attempt to question the June 9 elections of Messrs Saraki and Ekweremadu.

Mr. Marafa, relying on Order 110 and 3 (e) (i), of the Senate Standing Order, sought to know which of the Order Books (2011 or 2015) was used to coordinate the election.

He described the 2011 Senate Standing Order as “genuine and authentic” thereby countering the authenticity of the Senate Standing Order 2015.

The elections of Messrs. Saraki and Ekweremadu were reportedly based on a revised edition of the Senate rules, version 2015.

Mr. Marafa insisted that there was a conflict in the two books as to the procedure that should be taken for election of presiding officers of the senate.

He said as a former senator, he was unaware of when the 2011 edition of the rules was amended.

Mr. Saraki however ruled Mr. Marafa out of order, thereby stopping what appears an attempt to oust him and Mr. Ekweremadu.

In his explanation that day, Mr. Ekweremadu said that from 1999 till date, the Senate had always come up with its own rules.