The Senate yesterday gave President Goodluck Jonathan a two-day ultimatum within which to sack the Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team, Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina, from the Federal Civil Service. The upper legislative chamber said Jonathan risked dire consequences if he failed to end Maina’s stay in office.
Senate President, David Mark, said this after a debate on a motion entitled, “Dismissal of Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina for refusal to appear before the Senate.” The debate was sponsored by the Leader of the Senate, Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN), and 107 senators, urging President Goodluck Jonathan to sack Maina from the public service. The Senate has 109 members.
According to Mark, the Senate as an institution has been pushed to the wall and can no longer tolerate the insolence of public officials working for the executive. “The executive has to choose between the Senate and Maina. He has crucified himself. If Maina remains, then the Senate would react appropriately" he said.
“The Senate is not lacking in ideas on what to do. Nobody in this country is bigger than our democracy. I have been extremely patient with Maina, so that when we react, they will know that we have been fair. Whether the Police are serious about (arresting) Maina is something we are going to find out. This Senate is not going to allow this to linger on, if in two days they have not done anything, we can come here and convene and take a decision. This Senate has teeth to bite, the Senate will bite when it needs to bite; and when we decide to bite, there will be no room for escape."
The Senate also resolved to summon the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, for failing to carry out an earlier order for Maina’s arrest as contained in a warrant of arrest duly signed and issued by the President of the Senate.
Via Punch
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