Some persons protesting the suspension of Sen. Ali Ndume by the Senate on Tuesday gave the upper legislative chamber three days to recall him or face difficult times.
The protesters, who included some Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), barricaded the main entrance to the National Assembly as early as 800 a.m., chorusing pro-Ndume songs.
They displayed placards with different inscriptions such as “Ndume Again Insha Allah’’, “Who is Afraid of Ibrahim Magu’’, “ Stop Undermining PMB’’ and “Saraki is a curse”.
They called for the removal of President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, for suspending Ndume (Borno-APC) for six months.
One of the leaders of the protesters, Mr Joseph Okwuama, told newsmen that if the lawmaker was not recalled, they would stage several protests across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for seven days.
Okwuama, who is the National Coordinator, All Progressives Congress (APC) Movement, said the suspension of Ndume, who was also removed as Leader of the Senate late last year, was uncalled for.
“We are talking about corruption in the country. As Nigerian youths, we have to work together in support of the anti-corruption war.
“Corruption is not all about money. What the National Assembly did is corruption; the suspension of Ndume is corruption.
“Ndume’s suspension did not follow due process. The man did not do anything.
“We are giving the National Assembly three days and if they refuse, Nigerians will go to the streets of Abuja and protest for one week,’’ he said.
Muhammad Tanko, who led indigenes of Borno South, Ndume’s constituency, to join others in the demonstration, said that the constituency could not afford not to have representation in the senate for six months.
“The suspension of our senator for six months is illegal when the Constitution allows for suspension of only 14 days.
“Saraki must go. He knows what Ndume did for him before he became President,’’ Tanko said.
A female protester, Mrs Naima Sale, wife of the Chairman, IDPs in Karama Jiji Camp in Abuja, said that the lawmaker had been of help to IDPs and should not be made to suffer for nothing.
Ndume was suspended on Wednesday by the Senate for calling for the investigation of alleged fake customs papers in the importation of a vehicle for Saraki and certificate forgery against Sen. Dino Melaye (APC-Kogi).
An online platform had accused Saraki of importing a Range Rover SUV without paying appropriate imports duty, and attempting to clear the vehicle with falsified papers.
Melaye was accused of falsely claiming to have graduated from Ahmadu Bello University.
The senate dismissed both allegations and sanctioned Ndume by suspending him for six months for raising the alarm. (NAN)
CJM/MO/OPI