Ndume: Akpabio Should Respect Me in Chamber

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Ali Ndume, has advised the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, to listen to correction during plenary because some lawmakers have more legislative experience than him.

Ndume stated this when he appeared on Channels Television flagship programme, SUNDAY POLITICS, monitored by our Correspondent in Abuja.

He was reacting to his decision to stage a walk out from the red chamber when the  Senate President ruled him out of order over a motion penultimate week.

The senator representing the Borno South Senatorial District, however said he enjoyed a good working relationship with Akpabio.

He said, “I don’t have a problem with Akpabio. My problem, maybe the way he handles the situation. What happened the last time I think was misunderstood or taken out of context.

“Don’t forget I campaigned for Akpabio. I can’t build a house and destroy it , but I think the main problem is that I am more experienced than him.

“However, when I try to correct him, sometimes like that incident , he overruled me! You can’t overrule your Chief Whip!!  No. I am supposed to be the one to call him to order, not him.

“On that day, he was supposed to invite me and we would talk one-on-one but he took advantage of the gavel .”

On plot to impeach Akpabio, Ndume said,” I am hearing that but it isn’t new . But it isn’t likely to happen; I can tell you that.”

The Chief Whip justified the N160m Sports Utility Vehicles as official cars for his colleagues, saying it was their right.

He said, “We should look at the cost implication and the alternatives. For me, the issues that are being raised the public has a right to do that, but for me, I come to serve and in serving the people, my major constitutional role is over- sighting, and making laws.

“If I have to do that, effectively, then I need a vehicle that will enable me do that. That is the idea of buying the vehicles. And over the years the cost of the vehicles have gone up “

Ndume claimed the Peugeot 406 which was the vehicles given to the Senators during the Obasanjo regime could no longer serve the purpose and lives of lawmakers were at risk.

He s aid, “I think we lost two senators or so because of the instability of the vehicles. That was why we settled for Land Cruisers. I don’t know the cost of the vehicles they are buying; that’s supposed to be the responsibility of the management.

“It isn’t also new that public servants especially in the rank of Ministers, Heads of parastatals, it isn’t new to buy vehicles for them.

“I understand that the cost is high but when you look at the cost benefit analysis, then you begin to wonder, what is it that is supposed to be done.? Do you now say that no vehicles for the Senators because of the state of the economy?”

On the unexplained Wealth Bill, Ndume said the proposed legislation should be presented as an executive bill.

He said, “I have tried several times but you know, the excuse here and there. I think the best way to get this across is when the bill comes from the executive.

“I think the current president should sign an executive bill on unexplained wealth.

 have tried several times but you know, there were excuses here and there.

 “I think the best way to get this across is when the bill comes from the executive or in the interim, the current president should sign an executive bill on unexplained wealth.

“I know of civil servants that live in houses that not only their income, their salaries, or their life pension –  assuming they would live in this world for 90 years or 100 years  – cannot buy.”

“The same thing with some of our politicians especially the politically exposed persons like ministers, you find as you rightly said, some of them come to the National Assembly, and suddenly,  there is so much money,” he added.